Residents in communities under the Doma Feeder in Gombe have voiced strong frustration over ongoing and prolonged power outages, particularly around festive periods.

They also accused the Jos Electricity Distribution Company of negligence and exploitation.

This was disclosed in an open letter signed by an acclaimed spokesperson, Alhaji Tukur, dated 6 June,2025, and addressed to stakeholders in the power sector, government authorities, civil society organisations, and the general public.

In the letter, the residents described the outages as both “regrettable and alarming.”

They expressed anger at what they described as a recurring pattern in which electricity is deliberately cut off shortly after payments are collected from households.

“About a week before festive periods, electricity distribution agents come around to collect payments for electricity.

“But almost immediately after the payments are made, the power goes off and stays that way for days, sometimes weeks.

“It feels like we are being taken advantage of,” the letter stated.

The group criticised the lack of communication and accountability from the power company, noting that attempts to seek clarification have been repeatedly ignored.

“Calls go unanswered, and when we visit their offices, no one is willing to give a clear answer.

“This silence is disrespectful and deeply concerning,” it added.

While acknowledging that technical issues may sometimes disrupt supply, the residents emphasised that the absence of proactive communication and proper contingency planning from the distribution company was unacceptable.

“We’re not asking for miracles. We understand that problems can occur.

“But the least we expect is honest communication and a willingness to engage with the community,” the letter noted.

Among the group’s demands are an independent investigation into the frequent power outages, a formal apology from JEDC, and an immediate end to what they termed “exploitative payment practices”.

The letter continued, “People should not be forced to pay for a service that is clearly not being delivered.

“Withholding electricity during periods that are meant to be joyful and unifying for our community is a betrayal of public trust.”

The residents also called for the establishment of a transparent and responsive communication channel between power sector operators and local communities.

According to them, timely updates would help manage public expectations and reduce tension.

They concluded the letter with a strong warning that they will continue to raise their voices until there is genuine reform in electricity service delivery in their area.

“We deserve fair treatment and reliable power like every other Nigerian community,” the residents concluded.

When contacted, the Head of Corporate Services at JEDC, Musa Abdullahi, acknowledged the residents’ concerns and gave an assurance of action.

“Thanks a lot for sharing, I assure you that something will be done about their concerns,” Abdullahi said.



https://punchng.com/gombe-communities-lament-poor-power-supply/