A mobile phone charger in Anguwan Rogo community of Jos North local government area of Plateau state has said the current blackout being experienced in the northern part of the country is boosting his business.
Most of the states in Northern Nigeria are currently experiencing blackouts following the tripping of 330KV circuit transmission lines between Makurdi in Benue and Enugu states.
Auwal Bayya, a phone recharger in the area, said, ”Life is such that when someone is crying, another is laughing”, acknowledging that the current electricity problem is favoring his business.
He said, “Life is bittersweet; one person’s tears is another’s laughter. The truth is, those suffering are many. I’m now earning enough to feed my family, unlike before when people rarely patronized me.
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“But since the power outage, people flock here to charge their phones. More customers mean more money. I recharge over a hundred phones daily, plus laptops, torchlights, and other electronics. Sometimes, I have to turn people away due to lack of space. As you can see, everywhere is filled with phones.
“I’m one of those benefiting from the situation, but I empathize with Nigerians crying about it. There’s nothing I can do. It’s the situation that permits it. Don’t forget, I’m also buying fuel at a high cost. Whatever I earn, I split with the filling stations,” he added.
Bayya, however, urged the government and relevant authorities to restore power in the affected areas, despite benefiting from the situation.
He said, “We cannot continue to enjoy while millions are suffering.”