THE PAINS OF OTAMPA COMMUNITY IN ISUIKWUATO LGA, ABIA STATE, AS ENUGU ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY PARALYZES THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE PEOPLE

By: Nnabugwu Chizoba

Nwanyi Otila Ukwu Otampa

Recently, Otampa, a Community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State was in the news. It was reported that the Community has been cut off from the national grid for upwards of three months or thereabout, for no offense of theirs.

This action, which is capable of attracting the wrath of the people of the Community, especially, the youths, according to sources from the community was restrained owing to the perceived patience and love for peace of the people of the community. 

From findings of this medium, the prolonged power outage, was necessitated by an alleged removal of the transformer serving the community.

 

According to a report made available to , which  in part, reads“For Otampa Community in Abia State, suffering from Discos”, it was sadly reported that the Royal Father of the community, EZE Umesieobi, the Ota 1 of Otampa, has “spent months without the sign that light would come back to his community”.

Continuing, the report reads:

“REALITY finding reveals that, owing to a proposal that a road might be constructed along Otampa through Amaibo area of Isuikwuato, the Distribution Company allegedly removed the transformer that supplies light to the community with a good reason to relocate the transformer. However, as this report is being presented, the transformer is nowhere to be found as the relocation has not taken place in the last three months, thereby leaving the community and its Royal father in darkness”, the report concluded. 

Further finding by  reveals sadly also, that the traditional ruler of the Community, HRH EZE Umesieobi, the Ota 1 of Otampa, in March 2016, celebrated his 10th coronation anniversary without electricity supply to the Community. 

As a resort to reactions generated by the report, our correspondent, visited the area, to conduct a voice pop, and to examine the socio-economic impact of the prolonged power outage to the Community and her people. 

The pains and difficulties arising from the neglect of the Community by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, according to a member of the community, one Mr. Egele, can only be eased by a quick intervention mechanism, coming from government, with a very clear mandate to restore the distribution of electricity supply to Otampa Community by re-installing the removed transformer at the position considered appropriate by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, without further delay”. 

“The Otampa Community and her people, like every other part of Isuikwuato, LGA, known for their diligence, self-reliance, creativity, peace, hospitality and co-operation with diverse groups and individuals are threatened by the prolonged power outage in the Community”. This was the conclusion of Chinweike Alfred, from the Community.

According to Mr. Enoch Ogboro, an opinion molder and Community Leader in the Area “Otampa Community has over the years pursued and diligently maintained a steady tempo of peace and understanding in the pursuit of socio-economic development and the prosperity of her people, and numerous others, including nationals of other Countries, living in the Community, and if there is anything that the Community needs desperately, it is the support and collaboration of well-meaning people, and organizations, including the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, covering the area”.

Speaking with another member of the community, Mr. Kenneth Onu, who was home (the said community) for the traditional marriage of his elder brother’s daughter and also for the burial of the wife of one of his uncles, said, “ the Otampa Community has a self-imposed mandate of running a cohesive and self-reliant economy, characterized by the promotion of equitable and sustainable economic activities, thus this power outage is an unnecessary distraction, capable of derailing the focus and the attainment of the noble objectives of the Community”.  

Mr. Kenneth Onu in all still called the authorities concerned to act fast.

A visit round the Community by our Correspondent, also revealed that the prolonged power outage is really taking its toll on both the social and economic activities of the Community, especially at the Orie-ukwu Otampa Market square and the Ogwumabiri Market square, usually a bee-hive of activities, especially in the evenings.

Nwabueze Felix Akaeme a member of the Community and an enterprising young man, while discusing on the same issue remarked “Considering that the Nigerian Nation is witnessing the worst form of fuel scarcity at the moment, it is glaring that the prolonged power outage is really telling on us”, the community.

Nwabueze Felix Akaeme

In his contribution concerning the persistent power outage in Otampa, Mr. Amechi Isiguzo, from Eluama in Isuikwuato LGA and the Chairman of Isuamawu, Jos Branch of which Otampa is a Community under his leadership said “The least Otampa Community expects from both the government and Institution concerned, at all times, is a demonstration of commitment to good governance and efficient service delivery. 

Amechi Isiguzo

Continuing with his commentary on the matter, especially towards eliminating the occurrence of such in the future, Amechi Isiguzo said “Institutionalizing a very effective control mechanism for quality control and a standard reporting format at all levels of activities, especially by government will ensure that works (contracts) commenced or completed are not only in line with specifications and standards, but that operational guidelines, (with regard to project duration) are clearly and strictly followed to forestall the incidences of abandoned projects and the untold hardship to the people”.

While the people of the community continue to speak out, concerning their pains and the impact of the prolonged power outage currently been experienced,  shall keep you posted!