The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Katsina State has raised alarms regarding the ongoing power outage affecting numerous states in Northern Nigeria. This situation has become increasingly alarming, prompting the coalition to voice their concerns more publicly.
AbdulRahman Abdullahi, the chairman of the coalition, issued a statement in Katsina on Sunday, highlighting the severe impact of the power outages. He emphasized that the lack of electricity is severely hindering access to healthcare services, which has tragically resulted in the loss of lives on a daily basis.
Mr. Abdullahi remarked that electricity serves as a crucial lifeline, and its absence has led to a multitude of dire consequences for the community. The prolonged outages, attributed to the recent collapse of the national grid, have inflicted significant hardships on millions of people.
The chairman pointed out that the current situation is affecting not only individual lives but also businesses and essential services. Many enterprises that rely on a stable power supply have been forced to shut down, leading to economic setbacks and the loss of livelihoods for countless individuals.
In the last eight days alone, the coalition has witnessed the escalating toll on local communities. The negative impacts of this power crisis continue to grow, affecting the daily lives of residents.
Mr. Abdullahi expressed his dismay over the lack of communication from authorities regarding the resolution of this crisis. Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been minimal information provided to the public about when they can expect relief.
He highlighted the apparent indifference of those in positions of power, noting that many seem insulated from the crisis due to their access to private generators and solar power systems at their homes and offices. This disparity exacerbates the frustration felt by ordinary citizens.
The chairman criticized the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for its inability to provide timely updates or a comprehensive report on the status of repairs. He believes that as a key national institution with significant resources, TCN has a responsibility to address this issue promptly.
The ongoing silence and inaction from TCN are seen as unjustifiable and unacceptable by the coalition. Mr. Abdullahi stressed that the affected regions deserve transparency and accountability from those in charge.
He called for immediate action to resolve the power crisis and for TCN to keep the public informed about progress in restoring electricity. The coalition believes that effective communication is essential in restoring trust between the authorities and the affected communities.
In conclusion, the Coalition of CSOs in Katsina State urges the government and relevant authorities to take swift action to alleviate the suffering caused by the prolonged power outages. The lives and livelihoods of many depend on a timely resolution to this pressing issue.
