Delving into the challenges faced by residents in a Lagos-Benin Republic border community due to prolonged power outages, the journey to Kweme Community was described as difficult. The residents have been living without electricity for years, leading to struggles in meeting basic needs. Many rely on alternatives to cope with the lack of power, such as traveling to Benin Republic to charge phones and fetch water.
The blackout has not only affected the quality of life but has also impacted local businesses severely. Frozen food vendors like Abdullahi Roimot struggle to preserve goods due to the lack of power. The absence of electricity has led to businesses shutting down, leaving many in debt and struggling to survive.
Residents resort to extreme measures like drinking from wells due to the absence of pipe-borne water. The lack of power also affects education, as schools equipped with computers remain unable to use them effectively. The situation has led to frustration and hopelessness among the community members.
Efforts to restore power have been made, but vandalism of cables passing through the Seme Bridge remains a significant challenge. The impact of the prolonged power outage extends to various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and security. The community members are calling for government intervention to address the critical issue of power supply in the region.