Residents of Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, are grappling with a worsening water crisis following a prolonged electricity outage that has lasted for weeks and, in some areas, stretched into months.
The blackout has severely disrupted daily life, leaving many households without access to clean water, as most rely on electrically powered boreholes and pumping systems that are now non-functional.
In the early hours of the morning, residents are often seen moving around with their phones and chargers in search of places where they can get electricity to power their devices. The situation highlights the extent of hardship faced by the people, as even basic communication has become a challenge.
Residents who spoke on the development expressed frustration, noting that the lack of electricity has made life increasingly difficult and expensive. Many now depend on alternative water sources, often at high costs.
“We have not had light for a long time. There is no water, and everything is hard. We spend so much money just to get water,” a resident said.
The prolonged outage has also raised concerns about hygiene and public health, as access to clean water continues to decline across affected communities. Small business owners are equally feeling the impact, with many unable to operate effectively without power supply.
Residents are calling on the Ebonyi State Government and Governor Francis Nwifuru to urgently intervene and restore electricity in the area. They stressed that stable power supply is critical not only for economic activities but also for access to essential services like water.
Efforts to reach relevant authorities for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.