Small businesses in the Akute-Odo area of Ogun State are reeling from a four-week blackout that has disrupted operations and left residents grappling with sleepless nights due to the incessant noise of generators.

The blackout ensued after a truck accidentally pulled down an electric cable, affecting multiple power poles supplying electricity to the area. Despite community efforts to raise funds for repairs, residents and business owners continue to suffer from the prolonged outage, impacting their livelihoods.

Barbers like Abdul and Wasiu who spoke with Instant News Correspondents, lamented the decline in customers and increased expenses on fuel, with some patrons opting to seek services elsewhere rather than pay higher prices. Mama Amarachi, a soft drink vendor, highlighted the challenges of sourcing ice blocks and the additional costs of transportation.

Furthermore, the disruption has not only affected businesses but also residents’ quality of sleep, as the noise from generators persists late into the night. Community leaders acknowledge the delays in restoration, citing incidents during repair attempts, including a dangerous pole collapse and a worker’s fall.

When reached for comment, the spokesperson for Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, requested information on community liaisons for further updates on the situation but did not provide additional details.

As the blackout persists, residents and businesses in Akute-Odo endure mounting losses and disruptions, awaiting swift resolution and restoration of power to the community.