Residents of Aso in Mararaba yesterday expressed their displeasure over power outage that has afflicted their community for over eight months.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP, one of the residents, Eunice Emmanuel, said in the past, one Alhaji S.A. Yahaya brought a transformer in the community that supplied electricity regularly until officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) took over its maintenance.

"As soon as PHCN officials came in to take over the maintenance of the transformer, things were never the same as the community started experiencing power outage," she said.' Mama Miracle, another resident, appealed to PHCN to repair the transformer and restore electricity to the area.

"As you can see, there are little or no business activities in the area due to the long outage," she said. Mr. Andy Ochele, on his part, said since the absence of electricity, "I have spent a lot in buying fuel for generator use.

The money could have helped me in many other ways. Government should restore the light soon." Another resident, Mallam Audu Baba, said: "The issue of the blackout in this place affects Mararaba as a whole. The whole thing is affecting our homes and businesses.

My children cannot watch television unless I buy fuel, and my generator cannot carry my fridge. So, we are suffering many things due to the absence of electricity. When our reporter visited the office of PHCN, Aso branch, an official blamed the problem on overloading of the transformer supplying the community.

He said once some of the load is reduced, then electricity will be rationed, adding that plans are on to ensure steady power supply in the area.