National Issues
The Electricity Crisis In Gombe State: Unequal Distribution And The Plight Of Bands B To E -By Isa Salisu
JED services in terms of electricity have been playing very bad ever since the start of that bands distribution and so it’s time to bring back brilliant questions! Seems band A is the only band una don care for. Remember, B to E or so are also part the community you called customers. Seems like everyone in bands B, C, D and E respectively just got downgraded to no electricity. What kind of issue can even cause that? How? What? … Who will tell us?
Ever since electricity was distributed to bands, most of the areas in Gombe State, which nestled in Nigeria’s northeastern corridor, finds itself ensnared in an electricity crisis of significant magnitude. This predicament, which has plunged vast swathes of the state into prolonged darkness, is exacerbated by the contentious restructuring undertaken by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) company. The division into bands, ranging from A to E, has starkly delineated the haves from the have-nots, with only Band A basking in the glow of uninterrupted electricity, while Bands B to E languish in obscurity.
The repercussions of this unequal distribution of electricity are far-reaching and multifaceted, casting a long shadow over the socio-economic fabric of Gombe State. At the forefront of this crisis are the local businesses, which find themselves navigating treacherous waters as they grapple with erratic power supply. Many have been compelled to curtail their operations or cease trading altogether, plunging employees into unemployment and exacerbating economic instability. Beyond the commercial sphere, the absence of consistent electricity may also dealt a severe blow to essential public services.
The decision by JED to divide its service areas into bands without ensuring equitable distribution of electricity has to be criticized as a policy failure. Instead of addressing the underlying issues of infrastructure development, maintenance, and capacity building, the company has resorted to arbitrary categorizations that have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable communities.
What is more, the current lack of transparency and accountability in the operations of JED has eroded public trust and confidence in the company’s ability to manage and resolve the electricity crisis in Gombe State. Despite several visits of some communities and repeated promises and assurances from the JED authorities, the situation on the ground remains dire, with no tangible solutions in sight.
Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) let’s talk. Why are you so intolerant? and I must remind you that same lack of this same electricity is giving me nightmares. As I write these words, am writing in darkness!! Why did you turn your back on us? Your silence is conspicuous to our eyes as that speaks volumes.
JED services in terms of electricity have been playing very bad ever since the start of that bands distribution and so it’s time to bring back brilliant questions! Seems band A is the only band una don care for. Remember, B to E or so are also part the community you called customers. Seems like everyone in bands B, C, D and E respectively just got downgraded to no electricity. What kind of issue can even cause that? How? What? … Who will tell us?
The central road to resolving this electricity crisis is the imperative to rectify the glaring disparities in electricity access by reallocating resources and investing in infrastructure upgrades across Bands B to E. Equally crucial is the establishment of robust governance structures and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with established standards and regulations, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and public participation.
