Power restored in Maiduguri — after two-month blackout

March 25, 2021 1:09 am

The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) says power has been restored in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, and other areas in the state.

The affected areas have been in darkness for two months, following an attack by insurgents on an electricity tower in January.

The attack led to disconnection from the national grid, and officials from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and YEDC have been working to ensure that electricity is restored in the communities.

While the repairs were ongoing, two TCN staff members sustained injuries on February 27, when their vehicle struck a landmine laid by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

A team of engineers from TCN and YEDC were on their way to a site in Minok where they were working to restore electricity in Maiduguri, when the blast occurred.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Kingsley Nkemneme, YEDC spokesman, confirmed that there is now electricity supply in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

“The management of Yola Electricity Distribution Company wishes to inform our dear valued customer(s) that electricity supply is restored to Maiduguri and environs today, 24th March, 2021 after completion of work on a faulty Damaturu-Maiduguri Transmission Line,” the statement reads.

“Our sincere appreciation goes to the entire crew of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and all relevant stakeholders that worked tirelessly to ensure power was restored to Maiduguri in the face of the security challenges and a difficult terrain.

“We are therefore appealing to our dear customer(s) to exercise patience and rest assured that our technical crew is working diligently to ensure the safety of our distribution network, and gradual power restoration to homes and businesses within the metropolis. This is to ensure the safety of lives, properties, and our distribution facilities within our network.”

The YEDC spokesman also commended the federal ministry of power, security agencies, and the Borno state government for their efforts.