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| Light bulb and electricity poles |
A recent report by PUNCH journalist Muhammed Lawal sheds light on the daily struggles of residents in Kweme, a Lagos-Benin Republic border community, where years of power outages have left them without basic necessities like electricity and clean water.
The journey to Kweme, a quiet village near the Nigeria-Benin border, reveals a community grappling with the harsh realities of life without power. As dusk falls, residents resort to creative solutions to cope with the prolonged blackout, which has persisted since 2017.
Crossing Borders for Basic Needs
One of the most striking revelations is that residents often travel to Benin Republic to charge their phones and fetch water. A Beninese trader, Misi, confirmed this, stating, “Nigerians come here to charge their phones, fetch water, and take care of other needs. They patronise us because they don’t have electricity.”
Kweme, an ancient town in Badagry Local Government Area, oversees several villages, including Akoko, Asipa, Irosu, and others. Despite its strategic location, the community has seen little development in the past decade. The lack of electricity has forced residents into a life of hardship, with many feeling disconnected from modern society.
A Community in Crisis
The power outage has not only disrupted daily life but also crippled local businesses. Frozen food vendors, like Abdullahi Roimot, struggle to preserve their goods, often resorting to expensive fuel-powered generators. “I can barely afford 20 litres of fuel a week,” Roimot lamented. “My goods spoil before I can sell them, and I’ve never made a profit.”
For residents like Hawawu Raji, the situation is equally dire. “I pay N200 to charge my phone in Benin Republic,” she said. “We feel like outsiders in our own country. There are no companies here for our husbands to work in, and women are forced into businesses they shouldn’t be involved in just to feed their families.”
The Irony of Power Supply
Ironically, while Nigeria struggles with power outages, it supplies electricity to Benin Republic. Last year, the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Abdulaziz, revealed that Nigeria provides 24-hour electricity to Benin and Togo, even as its own citizens endure chronic blackouts.
This disparity has fueled frustration among Nigerians, who question why their country, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” cannot provide basic services to its citizens.
Crumbling Businesses and Health Risks
The lack of electricity has devastated local businesses, particularly those reliant on refrigeration. Roimot, who also suffers from a recurring medical condition, shared how the absence of power exacerbates her health issues. “I was sweating profusely, feeling like I was suffocating. If there was electricity, I might not have had to go through all of this,” she said.
Residents also face challenges accessing clean water. Many rely on wells, boiling the water or adding alum to make it drinkable. “We fetch water from Benin Republic because the water here is not safe,” said Bashir Abdullahi, a resident.
Education and Security Concerns
The power crisis has also impacted education. Abdullahi Semando, a teacher at a local primary school, lamented that computers meant to enhance learning remain unused due to the lack of electricity. “The children are left without the tools to succeed,” he said.
Security is another growing concern. Prolonged darkness has made the community vulnerable to crime, with vandals frequently stealing transformer cables and other electrical components.
Calls for Government Intervention
Residents and community leaders have repeatedly called for government intervention. Awesu Oluwafemi, General Secretary of the Kweme Elders Forum, confirmed that the community has been without power since 2017. “We travel to Benin Republic to charge our phones and take care of other needs,” he said.
Youth leader Raji Uthman echoed these concerns, stating, “The government should come to our aid. Power is crucial for the growth and development of every community.”
Expert Weighs In
Abayomi Oladapo, a US-based energy expert, criticized the Nigerian government for prioritizing power exports over domestic needs. “It’s shameful that Nigerians must cross into Benin Republic for electricity,” he said. “The government must renegotiate power export agreements and prioritize underserved communities like Kweme.”
Vandalism and Eko Disco’s Response
A social advocate in Badagry community, Manoah Kikekon, noted that since the power was disconnected, vandals had been targeting communities, stealing transformer cables and other electrical components.
He said, “An example is Wayingbeme, a community just after Suntan Beach. The power lines before the community have been removed, and the community’s transformer is now practically empty, as all valuables have been stolen.
“Over time, concerned residents have raised the alarm, but nothing has been done because it is believed that the area will not generate the required revenue. That’s why there has been no response to our requests.”
An anonymous official from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) cited vandalism as the primary cause of the power outage. “Cables passing through the Seme Bridge are repeatedly cut and stolen,” the official said. Efforts to restore power have been hampered by the high cost of repairs and the need for a long-term solution.
Despite repeated attempts, PUNCH was unable to reach EKEDC’s spokesperson for further comments.
The plight of Kweme residents highlights the urgent need for government action to address Nigeria’s power crisis. As communities like Kweme continue to live in darkness, the call for equitable access to electricity grows louder. Without immediate intervention, the gap between Nigeria and its neighbors will only widen, leaving millions of citizens in the shadows.
(PUNCH)