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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
For many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this season has become unbearable as the current heatwave is taking its toll on their livelihoods. The situation is worsened by the epileptic power supply being experienced in many areas.
A hair stylist in Kubwa, Joy Ade, said her business is not really yielding much because of the heat and constant blackout: “We find it difficult to sleep at night due to the recent weather condition. One of challenges is the light issue, in my area here, they ration the light, two days in and one day out. But since this hot weather set in, we hardly see light.
“Additionally, many of my customers have now joined the group of low cut women due to the harsh weather conditions. Even the all back era is no more invoke. I recently pass through lots of challenges because of the weather.”
A resident in Jabi District, Abraham Okeke, said apart from not being able to sleep comfortably, he finds it difficult to preserve his little food he struggles to cook: “It is no longer news that sleeping is a very difficult thing in the FCT, Abuja, because of the harsh weather. The most annoying is that after cooking before you know what is happening it gets spoilt because of the heat.
“Last week, after we left home for work and school, my wife called in the afternoon only to inform that the rice and beans they cooked before going to work has spoilt. It was very disheartening to the children because their hope was shattered and for we the parents extra expenditure in this very harsh economy.
“ I don’t really know why anytime the weather is this harsh, electricity supply will become an issue. During harmattan, there was constant light supply but now that, it is needed it is difficult to get.
I’m using this medium to appeal to the relevant authorities to please have mercy on the ordinary Nigerians and give us light. The situation in the country is so tough that running generator is a no go area for most of us. We are just managing to keep ourselves together.
“If I tell you how many families that fight on daily basis because of hardship, you won’t believe it. Some have even separated because of this. That is why one is expected to look beyond the physical appearance before saying ‘I do.’”
A private school teacher in Dutse, Chidinma Obum, said: “We don’t have light in my area for some days now and it has not been easy. You suffer struggling to get your daily bread. After the day hustling, you come back home, no light for you to have a good night rest.”
Dooshima Age of Kubwa Village Market: “It would have been easy if I could leave my windows or door open but the thought of that is terrifying as our area is not secured. Thieves are always disturbing us. A lady in my area left her door open. She slept off and by morning her phones and other valuables were gone.”
A mother of four, Kabiru explained: “This hot weather requires constant bathing but the blackouts have deprived us of water to use to reduce the heat. The water sellers are now feasting on us. A truck of water normally sold for N600 to N700, once there is no light they increase the price to N1000 and above.
“Imagine people like me that one truck cannot take us for one day. How are we going to survive coupled with this kind of economy? If you try to open your windows or sleep outside, when you wakeup, you will discover that your phones and other valuables are gone.
“The other day, a neighbour slept with her children with the door locked. They broke the door, went into the bedroom where they were sleeping and made away with food items and other things. We have been wondering how they broke in without them hearing the noise.
“It is a very critical issue. We don’t know what to do any longer. Using generator is even a no-no for us because of money issue.”
Dr. Ebubechukwu Daniel, works in a private hospital in Kuje, said: “The weather is not good for the body. Efforts are being made to create awareness on how to manage the heat.
“We are doing our best. We always provide our patients with the necessary health tips. We advise them to ensure their living rooms and bedrooms are properly ventilated to allow enough breeze into the rooms to prevent diseases associated with hot weather.”
