SMEs Workers Stage Peaceful Protest over Power Blackout in Kano

Ahmad  Sorondinki in Kano

Thousands of  workers from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)  yesterday staged a peaceful protest following a total blackout which has impacted their business activities in Kano State. 

 Speaking with Journalists shortly after the protest at Dakata cluster of the small scale industries, the leader of the protest, Surajo Musa, said the total blackout has disrupted their businesses and their livelihoods. 

The protesters accused the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) of deliberately cutting off power supply to their cluster which has put  over 10,000 members at risk of losing their businesses and livelihoods. 

“Our situation has worsened because over three months, the total blackout in this industrial area has brought small-scale businesses to the brink of collapse. This prolonged power outage has severe consequences on us and our immediate family members.”

According to Musa, his members incurred losses of millions of Naira due to total decline in productivity which forced majority of their members to look elsewhere for survival. 

He explained that the situation has led to  substantial financial losses for business owners, who are unable to generate revenue or meet their financial obligations. 

In an interview with one of the owners of the SMEs in Dakata, Murtala Isah, said the prolonged power outage has put jobs at risk, as their businesses may be forced to downsize or close operations completely. 

According to Isah, the collapse of small-scale businesses in Kano would have far-reaching economic consequences, including reduced economic growth, decreased tax revenue, and increased poverty among the already improvised populace. 

He called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to restore power to the industrial area and provide support to affected businesses by providing energy sources to alleviate the immediate crisis. 

 When contacted for comment, the KEDCO’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Bala Sani, said he would investigate  the issue.