Residents of Maiduguri in Borno State on Wednesday expressed happiness following the restoration of power supply, after about seven months of blackout.
Electricity supply to the state was cut in June 2014, after a suspected insurgency attack on the Damboa Power Line in Damboa, headquarters of Damboa Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that most residents were surprised at the sudden return of power after several futile attempts by the Federal Government.
Malam Mohammed Jidda, a resident of Jiddari-Polo, said that the reconnection came at the right time, due to the prevailing cold weather in the state.
Jidda said: “The light actually came late in the night.
“We were elated to see the light back when we woke up early in the morning.
“I think that the government deserves commendation for reconnecting the power this time around.
“This morning, my wife used the electricity to boil water for the children to bath before going to school.”
Ayari James, a resident of Tudun-Wada, supported Jidda’s claim.
James said: “Many people have lost hope of the electricity coming back after many promises in the past.
“But we thank God that the problem has been solved finally.”
He said that the return of power will also help to enhance security in the city.
Malam Mustapha Ajari, a resident of Bulumkutu, said, however, that his area was yet to get reconnected and urged the authorities concerned to expedite action on getting power to all parts of the city.
Reacting, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, the Yerwa District Manager of Yola Electricity Distribution Company, admitted that some parts of the city were yet to get reconnected.
Abubakar said: “We have just started after a long period.
“People should know that this is a gradual process.
“Some areas have already got reconnected, while our technical team is working round the clock to ensure that the entire city is reconnected in a very short while.”
Abubakar appealed to the residents to be patient as the company was working hard to ensure power supply to all areas in the city.
“I believe that in the next few days, we will be able to rectify all the problems and restore power to all areas of the city,” Abubakar said.
Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, the Minister of State for Power, had on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the restoration of power to the state.
Wakil had disbanded the Technical Committee set up by the ministry for inaction.