Some tailors in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, have decried erratic power supply in the metropolis, saying it is affecting productivity and threatening the survival of their businesses.

The tailors, who spoke separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Friday, expressed frustration over the persistent electricity outages, which they said had increased operational costs and reduced their income.

Mr Ifeanyi Oken, an executive member of the Tailors Association, lamented the rising cost of running tailoring businesses due to dependence on alternative power sources.

According to him, many tailoring outfits can no longer meet customers’ demands, while some operators are gradually shutting down or struggling to remain in business.

“We can no longer meet our customers’ demands, and some tailoring outfits are already phasing out or are no longer steady in business.

“Tailors need steady power supply to remain in business and make progress,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Obioma Nwankwo, a stylist operating along the Presco Junction axis, called on the government to stabilise the economy and urgently address challenges in the power sector.

She noted that tailoring businesses rely heavily on electricity for industrial machines, lighting and ironing, adding that constant power outages often led to delays in production.

According to her, tailors are compelled to purchase generators and fuel, thereby increasing production costs and shrinking profit margins.

Mrs Martha Afia, a fashion designer, blamed the poor power supply to reduced income, delayed deliveries, declining product quality and shorter working hours.

“The high cost of fuel and generator maintenance means that a large portion of our earnings is spent on keeping the business running, leaving us with very little profit.

“Poor lighting during work can also lead to mistakes and lower-quality finished products.

“We are often forced to close our shops early in the evening or wait for power to be restored, reducing the amount of work we can do daily,” she said.

The tailors appealed to the government and relevant authorities to urgently improve power supply in the state to prevent the migration of tailors, fashion designers and stylists from the capital.

Reacting to the development, the Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL) in the state, reaffirmed commitment to improving power supply and distributions.

Mrs Patience Ezeagu, Head of Communications, EEDL in the state appealed to residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at combating energy theft by reporting suspicious electricity activities within their communities.

“We have come to partner Ebonyi people and to support their economic growth and development through improved energy distribution and network enhancement,” Ezeagu stated.