The residents of Ebi’s Mechanic Road in Amarata, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, were devastated on Tuesday when the decomposing bodies of seven close friends were discovered in a music studio apartment.
The tragic incident, believed to be caused by generator fumes, occurred after the friends had finished their studio session and decided to take a short rest in the apartment.
The following morning, six bodies were found lifeless, while one of the friends, who had been unconscious, was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to the same fate.
Reports suggest that the crew members had been working late into the night due to the unreliable power supply in the state, relying on their generator to continue their work.
It is believed that exhaustion and oversight led them to fall asleep without turning off the generator, resulting in the fatal outcome.
The majority of the deceased were undergraduate students from Niger Delta University, who had ventured into the recording business to support themselves financially while pursuing their education.
A resident of the area, Mr. Damion Asamonye, expressed his frustration and placed blame on both the state and federal governments, as well as the power distribution company, for the tragic loss of lives.
He emphasized that if there had been a consistent and reliable public power supply, the need for a generator at night would have been unnecessary.
Mr. Asamonye criticized the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) for only providing electricity when bills were being shared, leaving residents to rely on their own generators and bear the financial burden of fueling them.
The devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the failure of the government to provide adequate power supply, resulting in the loss of seven promising young lives.
The residents of Ebi’s Mechanic Road and the surrounding area are left mourning the tragic loss and questioning why they continue to face such hardships despite their efforts to pay for electricity bills.
The incident highlights the urgent need for the government to address the power supply issues in Bayelsa State and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
