Residents of the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos State, are lamenting the 12-day blackout that has grounded businesses and caused water scarcity in the barracks.

Our correspondent also learnt that the blackout had been a prolonged challenge the residents were faced with.

Speaking with our correspondent, a resident who identified herself simply as Precious, disclosed that small business owners such as tailors, grocery stores, laundry and other essential services had been affected by the blackout.

She noted that residents were forced to resort to the use of generators against the barracks rules and regulations.

Precious said, “We have been experiencing the blackout for almost two weeks. The situation has not been palatable because we cannot carry out our trades again. I am a tailor and I cannot work because of the blackout, the same with others.

“Some people are now defying the order of the Nigerian Air Force authority against the use of generators because they have no choice. Essential service traders have also been affected and this has been recurring for a while now.”

Another resident, Tutu Adeboye, noted that the water supply in the barracks had been limited to 30 minutes daily between the hours of 6 am and 6:30 am, which, she claimed, was not sufficient for daily use.

She added that several residents had resorted to patronising cart pushers for water at the rate of N4,000 per gallon.

She said, “The situation is worse. There is no water and we have to get water from these truck pushers for N4,000 per gallon. The barracks authority only supplies water between 6 am and 6:30 am daily. For 12 days now, there is no light.