By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Residents of Rafin Zurfi, a community in Bauchi, have decried the persistent blackout they have endured for nearly two months due to a faulty transformer.
The prolonged power outage has crippled businesses, disrupted daily activities, and left students struggling to prepare for their examinations because of it proximity with the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.
The community is now calling on the Bauchi State government to urgently intervene and restore electricity.
Malam Hussaini Hassan, a grinding machine operator, expressed his frustration, stating that the power outage has forced him out of business. “I rely on my grinding machine for survival, and without electricity, I have no source of income,” he lamented.
Madam Hannatu, a resident, shared a similar ordeal. She explained that she had brought her maize to a local grinding shop nearly five weeks ago, hoping for power restoration, but was eventually forced to take it outside the community to get it processed.
For Opeyemi Philip, a beverage shop owner, the blackout has severely affected sales. “I have had to buy ice every day just to keep my drinks cold for customers. It is an extra expense that is hurting my business,” he said.
The Rafin Zurfi Community Youth Forum has also taken action by reaching out to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED).
According to Samuel Godiya, a representative of the forum said several letters have been written to JED, and community members have even visited their regional office, but no action has been taken.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity accused the government of neglecting the community despite the massive support they received during the last elections. “This administration enjoyed our votes, but now, we are suffering in darkness. Our businesses are collapsing, and nothing is being done,” he said.
Beyond the economic impact, students from the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University have also been affected.
Many of them are finding it difficult to read and prepare for their upcoming examinations due to the lack of electricity.
The residents of Rafin Zurfi are now making a desperate appeal to the Bauchi State government to intervene swiftly and resolve the issue before the situation worsens further.
The residents particularly called on the Executive Chairperson of Bauchi LGC, Mahmoud Babamaji to come to their aid and get them out of the situation which has negatively impacted on their existence since January, 2025.