Residents living around the Mile 1 and Mile 3 Diobu areas of Port Harcourt took to the streets in protest against the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), expressing their grievances over a recent blackout in the Garden City. 

The protesters, predominantly women, voiced their concerns about the detrimental impact of the power outage, exacerbated by the prevailing heatwave during the night.

Waving placards and chanting songs, the women lamented that the blackout has led to the spoilage of food stored in their refrigerators, forcing them to discard items regularly. 

One protester, who chose to remain anonymous, highlighted the frustration of paying electricity bills monthly without receiving adequate power supply, stating, “We came to tell NEPA that there is no light in Mile 3 area. We pay bills every month but no light. It affects us by making our soup sour.”

In addition to the practical inconveniences caused by the power outage, the protesters also expressed concerns about the impact on romantic activities in their marriages. They claimed that the lack of electricity, combined with the discomfort of the heat, has discouraged their husbands from fulfilling their conjugal obligations.

As of the time of reporting, PHEDC has not issued a statement regarding the protests or the ongoing power outage. However, it is speculated that the reduction in electricity supply in the Port Harcourt metropolis may be linked to the recent collapse of the national grid.