Civil servants in Rivers State are calling on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to urgently address a prolonged power outage at the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt. The months-long blackout, caused by a major electrical fault, has disrupted operations in several ministries and left workers struggling under harsh conditions.
The affected buildings, Blocks A and B, each with seven floors, house critical ministries such as Health, Agriculture, Budget and Economic Planning, and Culture and Tourism. With elevators out of service, employees and visitors endure the daily challenge of climbing multiple flights of stairs, raising health and safety concerns
The power outage has also cut off water supply, worsening sanitary conditions in restrooms. Ministries now depend on local water vendors, known as ‘mai-ruwa,’ to supply water, a temporary fix that barely meets the demand. While some offices rely on generators to maintain operations, others cannot, leading to diminished productivity and interrupted service delivery.
Civil servants have reported the issue to the Head of Civil Service and the Ministry of Power, but no significant progress has been made. The blackout has forced some workers to operate remotely to meet their targets, while others struggle to perform their duties under the current conditions.
One worker described the ordeal, saying, “For almost three months, we’ve had no electricity. Without light, there’s no elevator, and everyone suffers climbing to the seventh floor. It’s unbearable, and the governor needs to intervene immediately.”
Related posts:
- Rivers Workers Celebrate N85,000 Minimum Wage Payment
- Rivers State Relaunches Christmas Discount Market After Decade
- Rivers State Distributes Flood Relief Packages
Despite the challenges, workers acknowledge Governor Fubara’s efforts to improve their welfare. However, they insist that restoring power to the secretariat must be a priority to ensure a functional and comfortable work environment.
The situation has not only affected the well-being of civil servants but has also hampered the efficiency of government activities. Workers emphasize that a prompt resolution is crucial to prevent further disruptions and restore normalcy to the secretariat.
By addressing this critical issue, the government can demonstrate its commitment to creating a supportive work environment, boosting morale, and enhancing productivity across the board. Civil servants hope their appeal will spur immediate action to restore electricity and alleviate their suffering.
