We are used to blackout

Greetings!

There was a day I made a comment on a foreigner's post (non-Nigerian) where we were talking about generating electricity via solar and wind. When I mentioned that we've been battling with electricity in my part of the world, he surprisingly replied with, "Lacking electricity in 2024?"

Man, the reply got me thinking deeply because it's obvious that they have passed the stage of lacking electricity in their part of the world. I kept imagining if we, especially in my area, are ever going to move past this stage like them.

Epileptic electricity supply has been a major blow in my area, and nothing has been done by the government. In fact, resolving it to the same standard as other 'booming' states has never been on the agenda of the government.

I won't lie, I get jealous and envious of my friends on this platform who boast about their electricity flow. Each time they try to get in touch with me, and I'm not reachable due to my phone's battery dying, they start suggesting that I'm living in a very typical village setting like that of a countryside. I am left speechless because there is no evidence to tell them otherwise. Oh yeah, I'm talking about the people in Akwa Ibom! Some of them have even begged me to relocate from my current city to their state.

The worst thing is that even the rural areas around us have reliable electricity, but it's totally poor when it comes to our city. Every time I travel home to the village, I wish there were a way for me to tap into their constant electricity and bring it back to my base. I wish it were possible!

How We've Been Coping with It:

Well, it has become a normal thing for us. We get to see electricity whenever the people in charge decide to be merciful, and whenever it comes, we make sure to pump water and charge our phones until they cut it off.

We've been relying mainly on spending hugely to live life, like buying fuel as if we are buying water to power all our gadgets. It has become worse because fuel is currently out of hand.
Most times, I patronize 'pay charge' centers to charge my power banks, which are a huge support to me. My power banks are heavy and take time to charge fully, so if I take them to charge and the battery on my phone goes off, it's a big battle for me because it means staying offline until I get my power banks.

For pumping water, I'm the only one that has a generator in my compound, and I pump the water because I use it often due to my laundry. Sometimes it can be too difficult to use the very high-cost fuel to pump water, and I don't have option. Water, though not sold, is likened to gold here because it's scarce due to the unavailability of electricity to pump water. Of course, you won't allow everyone on the street (those that don't have boreholes) to come and finish the water you pumped with your money(fuel). This is why we have a padlock on our tap in the compound to prevent people from finishing it at night. We only allow them to fetch whenever there's electricity to pump it.

Thanks for reading.

Images are mine

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