ABUJA – A cross-section of operators and those who patronise relaxation joints in the Abuja metropolis on Saturday lamented the effect of low supply of power on the entertainment sector.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the situation had also brought about a low turnout of customers as well as other losses.
A NAN correspondent, who went round some of the relaxation joints, said the worsening power supply situation was a major challenge to their business.
Ms Joyce Onyia, the operator of “De Smooth’’, a relaxation joint at Jikwoyi, near Karu, said the recent drop was frustrating her business.
“This poor power supply issue has become unbearable, even though light has not been so fantastic before now.
“The cost of running my big size of generator is very expensive and requires constant maintenance which eats deep into my profit margin.
“Due to the shortage of power supply, my business and profit have dropped. I spend my profit on diesel and, sometimes, I have to close early because of lack of power supply,’’ she said.
James Idoko of Suez Garden in Wuse said the poor power supply was a disincentive for those wishing to invest in the relaxation sub-sector.
Referring to the sub-sector as “light business’’ in view of its popular name of “garden business’’, he said constant power supply would boost the business and increase operators’ profit margin.
“For instance, there was no power supply for three days and we had to run generator all through.
“Though our customers are not affected because we made sure there was constant light in the garden, but on the other hand, it is extra cost on our part,’’ he said.
Miss Cynthia Nnadi, a customer at “Benue Kitchen’’ a barbecue joint and restaurant at Nyanya, said it was unfortunate that power supply had continued to decline in recent times.
She called on the relevant authorities to save the operators of the relaxation joints by ensuring power was available at all times.
“With constant power supply, the use of power generators which also contributes to environmental pollution will be minimised,’’ Nnadi said.
Another customer, Mr Clef Makama, said irregular power supply was affecting the level of patronage for the operators of the joints.
He said some customers would not find it convenient to relax in an environment where there was noise and air pollution from generators.(NAN)
