Electric power supply was, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, restored to 23 Imo communities, after four months of blackout, following advocacy efforts by C-Advocate, a brainchild of the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE).
C-Advocate correspondent reports that shouts of joy erupted following the restoration of supply by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in the communities.
Recall that C-Advocate had reported that the communities had been condemned to blackout following a fire incident at a major transmission facility in Azara-Egbelu, a suburb of Owerri, the Imo state capital.
The fire incident which occurred in the early part of May 2024 had left a transformer and some cables destroyed, having lasted for over four days, according to eyewitness accounts.
Fire fighters had reportedly endeavored to quench the inferno but were largely unsuccessful as the electricity installations located at Azara Egbelu, Owerri North Council area of Imo state, was reduced to rubbles.
The affected communities included Ezeogba, Ezedibia, Okwu Emeke, Akalovo, Umuakuru, Azara-Owalla, Azara-Egbelu, Ubowala, Uboegbelu and Umuocham – all in Emekuku town, Owerri North LGA.
Others were Emeoha, Eziala, Mgbahiri, Nkepho, Ubah, Umuawuka, Umudulu, Umuebe, Umuolu and Umuorisha – all in Emii town, Owerri North LGA.
Also affected were the Amuzi, Ndegbelu and Umuodu villages , all domiciled in Awaka ancient town, Owerri North LGA, whose electric power supply is sourced from the Azara-Egbelu transformer.
Businesses which had hitherto crumbled can now hope to come back to life, for possible reductions in prices of essential goods and services as sellers will no longer struggle to recover their capital and make some profit amidst rising inflation and other economic concerns.
Attempts made to reach the Spokesman of the EEDC, Mr Emeka Eze, however proved abortive as he did not reply messages sent to his phone line.
C-Advocate believes that with the inflated price of petroleum products, this restoration of power supply will reduce resources expended by persons and businesses on fuel, and guarantee less spending.
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