Nasarawa Youths Protest, Demand Improved Power Supply

Youths, on Monday took to the streets of Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital demanding improved power supply across the state.

The residents were seen carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs over what they described as erratic electricity supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

They accused the distribution company of “selling darkness” in spite of residents’ exorbitant billing.

The leader of the protesters, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Attama, said the state capital has been enduring irregular and inadequate electricity supply for a long, describing the situation as economically and socially crippling.

He said that the prolonged blackout had worsened insecurity and crippled small businesses.

“In any community where there is no light, there is no life. Businesses collapse, insecurity increases and residents suffer needlessly,” he noted.

Comrade Atama noted that despite occupying strategic position and impacting on the country’s economy, the power allocation to the state is grossly insufficient to meet the existing demand, leading to minimal and unpredictable supply hours.

Comrade Atama explained emphasised that the protest was aimed at drawing government attention rather than causing disruption.

“It is evident that the power allocation to Nasarawa State, particularly the capital, is grossly insufficient to meet the existing demand.

“Even when the infrastructure is functional, the actual supply hours are minimal and unpredictable, suggesting a fundamental shortfall in the megawatts made available for distribution to the state.

“This inadequacy stifles growth and productivity, as businesses cannot rely on a stable power source,” he stated.

He urged the government to engage with federal power authorities to ensure adequate and consistent power allocation to the state.