Kano business owners decry crippling power supply issues

Small-scale entrepreneurs and artisans in Kano State are raising the alarm over persistent electricity outages, which they say are severely hampering their businesses and increasing operational costs.

Several affected residents lamented that the poor power supply has led to financial losses, missed deadlines, and declining customer trust.

Malam Idi Ali, a welder based in the Kofar Ruwa area, said the erratic electricity supply has forced him to spend up to N5,000 daily on fuel to power his generator.

“We barely get electricity for two hours a day. I’ve lost several clients because I can’t complete jobs on time. It’s becoming unbearable,” he said.

In Sabon Gari, Amina Rabiu, who operates a frozen food business, shared similar frustrations, noting that she has suffered repeated losses due to goods spoiling in the absence of power.

For Stella Simon, a fashion designer in the Fagge area, the power issue has become a major obstacle to meeting customer demands.

“We’ve had no power for nearly two days. I rely heavily on electricity to run my equipment. The high cost of fuel makes using a generator all day unsustainable. It’s affecting my income,” she explained.

Likewise, Abba Kabir, a tailor in Dakata, said the unreliable electricity has forced him to lay off some of his staff.

“I can’t keep paying workers when there’s no power to operate my machines. We urgently need government intervention or action from the power distribution company,” he said.

Attempts to get comments from Mr. Sani Bala, the Head of Corporate Communications at Kano Electricity Development Company (KEDCO), were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.