Since then, the light which separated light from darkness has remained with mankind. But ironically, the man made light i.e electricity refused to shine in seven years (since 2010) despite’ various attempts by men in several communities in Aniocha Oshimili federal constituency of Delta North.
Over 100 communities in the area apart from Asaba the ‘state, capital of Delta state were thrown into total darkness during the period.
The communities include, Ogwashi uku, the ancient administrative head quarters for 107 years, Isse Jeuku, Ibusa, Ilah, Ubulu uku e.t.c where economic activities were’ at the lowest ebb due to lack of electricity during the period of which the major source of power was generating sets as business men, students and households relied on generators of sizes.
So, it was in Ogwashi uku, the head quarters of Aniocha south Local Government a semi urban with a polytechnic, mobile police base, federal prisons, banks, general hospital, sprawling commercial activities where resident suffered for the period of “darkness”.
However, two groups of business men, generator repairers and sellers were truly in business. For the repairers, their number increased each day with almost every house, having a workshop. Boys preferred to learn the trade on how to repair electric generating sets. Some did not complete their number of years agreed with their masters before seeking freedom to enable them become masters too. The business boomed with much gain. It was obvious that a first time visitor to the town would easily believe that there was electricity supply because almost every building had generating sets at night.
All that have, however, changed with the restoration of power by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) since April this year.
Initially, the community used to have-power for six hours in two segments a day. The improvement of power generation in the country from about 2700MW to ‘about 7000MW has also impacted significantly on the supply to Ogwasi uku.
For the first time in 7 years, electricity consumers now sleep with light, do their domestic chores with,
ease.
“We thank God for the restoration oflight to this community. Life has really changed. We are not complaining
anymore”, a resident Mr. Paul Ifadi said.
But for the .geHerator repairers and sellers, the situation have not been favourable to them as most of them
have closed shops and are thinking, of alternative businesses.
A generator repairer in the town; Goddy Ibe bemoaned the condition thus “sometime, we sit idle-a whole
week and no work, nobody brings in any generator for repairs these day. I am thinking of what to do next.
I don’t need.a prophet to’ tell me that this kind of business has crumbled. To feed at horne is now a big
problem, I am planning to move to another community where power is yet to be restored. All the same, we
still thank God for the -light restored to us, it is for our common good’.
and then