By Suzan Edeh

Bauchi—Socio-economic activities in Bauchi Metropolis came to a halt yesterday for several hours as protesters blocked some major roads in parts of the city to protest epileptic electricity supply.

The protesters, numbering hundreds and mostly youths and teenagers, left motorists as well as motorcyclists, passing through Federal Low, Dutse Tanshi, Old Musaba, Nasarawa Jahun and Maikafi Close areas of the city, stranded.

The protesters who came out as early as 7a.m. carried placards denouncing the epileptic power supply by Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, in the areas.

Many residents, especially civil servants, going to work at the state and Federal secretariats were stranded as they were forced to abandon their vehicles or motorcycles and trek to work.

One of the protesters, Mubarak Abubakar, said PHCN has not given supply to their area in Nasarawa Jahun for over a month.

He said: “Our elders and community leaders have laid complaints and visited their office several times to no avail. That is why we decided to embarked on this protest. May be they will now listen to us.”

Another protester from Danjuma Goje Drive accused the PHCN in the state of inefficiency saying that they too had no electricity supply for over a month now.

Goje said: “What we need is a transformer. If the PHCN cannot repair the present transformer in the area, then we will continue to block the roads until they listen to us.”

Mallam Ado, an auto mechanic in Nasarawa Jahun described the power situation in the area as very pathetic and disturbing especially in the past weeks.

He said: “If you look inside the garage, you will see many cars that have been abandoned because there is no electricity to carry out most of the repairs on them. We are really fed up with this whole thing.”

Bills, bills, bills

They also complained that although electricity was not available most times, PHCN officials normally give them outrageous bills that were not commensurate with what they consumed.

One of the protesters said: “PHCN always brings outrageous bills to us though we hardly see light.

“As I am speaking to you now, I have been given a bill of N3,000. Meanwhile I have not used electricity for almost one month. I do not know where they are reading their bills from.”