‘Our Husbands Don’t Touch Us At Night Because Of Heat’, Nigerian Women Protests In Port Harcourt Over Prolonged Power Outage
There was a mild drama in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Tuesday as some women stormed the office of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company protesting the prolonged power outage.

In the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a group of women staged a peaceful protest at the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) office on Tuesday.
Their demonstration was fueled by frustration over the lack of electricity, citing challenges in maintaining intimate relationships with their spouses due to excessive heat.
The scorching heat of Rivers State, coupled with the absence of electricity, has inflicted untold hardships on the residents of Diobu and surrounding areas. In a region known for its humid climate and sweltering temperatures, access to reliable electricity is not merely a convenience but a vital necessity for survival. However, chronic power outages have become an all-too-familiar reality for the residents, depriving them of basic amenities and exacerbating their already challenging living conditions.
The women who took part in the protest are the unsung heroes of their communities, bearing the brunt of the electricity crisis with unwavering resilience. They are the homemakers, the caregivers, and the pillars of strength for their families, grappling with the adverse effects of power outages on a daily basis. Their poignant message, ‘Our husbands don’t touch us due to the heat,’ encapsulates the profound social and emotional toll of living without electricity in a climate where temperatures soar to unbearable heights.
Beyond the discomfort and inconvenience, the lack of electricity has far-reaching implications for the well-being and livelihoods of the residents of Diobu. Without power, essential services such as healthcare, education, and commerce are disrupted, further exacerbating poverty and inequality in the community. Businesses struggle to operate, students are unable to study effectively, and healthcare facilities are hindered in their ability to provide critical services, leading to dire consequences for public health and socio-economic development.
Armed with placards bearing messages like ‘No Light, No Payment’ and ‘The Heat is Too Much,’ the women highlighted the hardships they face, including the inability to store cooked food and disruptions to their businesses caused by inconsistent power supply.
The leader of the protesting women, Maria Ike, said, “We have decided to let the world know what we are passing through in the hands of PHED. The poor supply in our area is at zero level despite the fact that we pay monthly bills to PHED. We no longer have romance and conjugal relationships with our husbands because of so much heat due to power failure. Our businesses have collapsed because of a power outage. This is really affecting our families,” she said.
At the heart of the issue lies the need for improved infrastructure and investment in the power sector to enhance the reliability and efficiency of electricity supply. This entails upgrading aging transmission and distribution networks, investing in renewable energy sources, and implementing modern technologies to improve service delivery and mitigate losses. Additionally, measures to combat electricity theft, reduce technical losses, and enhance revenue collection are essential to ensuring the sustainability of the power sector and facilitating its long-term growth and development.
Moreover, community engagement and participation are integral to the success of any initiatives aimed at addressing the electricity crisis. Empowering local communities to actively participate in decision-making processes, voice their concerns, and contribute to the planning and implementation of solutions fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, ultimately leading to more sustainable outcomes.
The leader of the protesting women, Maria Ike, said, “We have decided to let the world know what we are passing through in the hands of PHED. The poor supply in our area is at zero levels, despite the fact that we pay monthly bills to PHED. We no longer have romance and conjugal relationships with our husbands because of so much heat due to power failure. Our businesses have collapsed because of a power outage. This is really affecting our families,” she said.
When contacted, PHED Public Relations Officer Livingstone Koko said that the issue of poor power supply is a general problem in the country.
He said that PHED was doing its best to improve the power supply in the state.