(DDM) – Residents of Edukuwo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed for urgent government intervention following a two-year power outage that has crippled economic activities and disrupted daily life.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the prolonged blackout was caused by a faulty transformer that has yet to be repaired or replaced despite several complaints and appeals from the community to relevant authorities.
Community elder, Prince Sammy Ebelekoro, who spoke on behalf of the residents, lamented that the situation has pushed many small businesses into collapse, forcing artisans, traders, and shop owners to rely on costly generators or close down completely.
According to him, the absence of electricity has led to severe hardship, especially for students, barbers, welders, and women involved in perishable goods trading.
Ebelekoro noted that the community had written multiple letters to the Delta State Ministry of Energy, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and the Warri South Local Government Council, but none of the agencies had responded effectively.
He expressed disappointment that a community located within the oil-rich Warri axis could remain in darkness for such a long period, describing it as “a painful sign of neglect.”
He urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Government to intervene immediately, saying that the restoration of power is not just a matter of comfort but one of survival and economic revival.
Residents who spoke to DDM recounted how the blackout has forced several youths to migrate to neighboring areas in search of jobs, while others resort to unsafe energy sources to power their homes and businesses.
They also complained that the lack of electricity has worsened insecurity in the area, with night-time activities now limited due to fear of attacks and theft.
Local business owners say the price of petrol for generators has further compounded their suffering amid Nigeria’s ongoing fuel price hikes.
Community leaders accused BEDC of abandoning its responsibility, adding that officials only visit when residents are expected to pay bills despite receiving no supply for months.
“The transformer serving us got burnt two years ago, and since then, we have been in total darkness,” one resident told DDM. “We have contributed money several times to fix it, but the efforts failed because the damage was beyond repair.”
They called on the state government to provide a new transformer or facilitate the replacement through its rural electrification programme, stressing that the community’s patience has reached a breaking point.
The situation in Edukuwo mirrors a broader crisis across many Delta communities where aging transformers, vandalized power lines, and weak infrastructure continue to hamper access to electricity.
Analysts note that Delta, despite its rich oil revenue and industrial potential, still struggles with rural power supply challenges that hinder development and local enterprise growth.
As residents await government action, frustration continues to mount, with calls for Governor Oborevwori to ensure the community’s plight receives urgent attention under his administration’s MORE Agenda for social equity and infrastructure renewal.
Until power is restored, Edukuwo remains a symbol of how neglect and bureaucracy can plunge even resource-rich regions into darkness, literally and economically.