There was wild jubilation as electricity was restored to Maiduguri and its environs after over two weeks of blackout. 

The town had no power supply following a reported technical problem with the federal government’s new 50-megawatt gas power plant. 

The gas power plant was established to counter the regular insurgent attacks on the national grid transmission line that supplied power to the town. 

Many residents who spoke on the restoration of the power supply expressed appreciation for what they described as a big relief in view of the hot weather and the collapse of many businesses that depend on electricity. 

Abdulrasheed Musa, a resident, said the restoration of electricity was a big relief considering the heat and the Ramadan fast. 

“This is a big relief to us as we battle the current heat and the fasting period. It has not been easy, but with the return of power supply, things will be better for us,” Mr Musa said.

Aisha Mohammed, a resident of Gwange ward, said she had been buying sachet water ice blocks for N250 per one and hoped the price would now go down drastically with the restoration of electricity. 

John Tizhe, Haruna Baba, and Jessica Musa, who operate salons, said they were happy to resume full business as using generators was not cost-effective. 

“We just hope we will be getting at least six hours of power supply daily to enable us to continue to stay in business,” Mr Tizhe said. 

(NAN)