Mararaba Residents jubilate over restoration of power by PHCN
Residents of Mararaba, a densely populated suburb in Nasarawa, near the FCT, erupted in jubilation at the weekend over the sudden restoration of electricity to their area by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) .
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who witnessed the spontaneous jubilation in the area reported that the celebration was triggered off by children.
NAN reports that the children trooped into the streets jubilating the sudden power restoration, shouting ``up NEPA, up NEPA''.
Later many adults were seen in joyous mood discussing excitedly with their neighbours at the return of the light.
The celebration followed general observation that the restoration of power appeared to be a ``permanent and stable" affair unlike in the past.
Since September 2010, the area had not witnessed electricity supply, a situation which had forced many former residents to relocate from the area while many businesses were paralysed while the blackout lasted.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke to NAN expressed surprise and happiness over ``the sudden turn of events'' in the area.
Mrs Juliana David, a cold room operator at shop BB 19 along Elisha Dachor street, Mararaba, Gurku, expressed happiness over "the sudden power restoration".
``We are highly delighted to see the return of electricity light to this area after a long period of time,'' she said.
David, who supplies sachet water in bags to retailers, said, ``this is the first time we will be witnessing any blink of electricity light here,'' adding, ``I hope it will last".
``We can now put on our refrigerators over night to cool our water for our customers the following morning,'' she added.
An electrician and civil servant, Mr Ayankola Ayanlakin, who resides at the Aunty Alice Schools area of Mararaba confirmed to NAN that ``there is constant power supply in the area now".
Mr Arikpa Daniel, the Manager of Big Brothers Laundry, off Yusufu Abdullahi Kunu Street, told NAN that ``we started seeing the blink of the light at the weekend''.
Daniel, however, lamented the low voltage of electricity supplied to his area, and called on the PHCN to ``give us full current''.
``I still use my generator to iron my customers' clothes and sometimes I resort to the use of Iron box with charcoal,'' he said.
``We buy the charcoal at the rate of N50 per pack,'' he added.
When contacted, the Operations Supervisor of the PHCN at the Mararaba Service Centre, Malam Mohammed Jambo, told NAN on Monday that ``the experience is the beginning of improved services to the residents of the area''.
He attributed the improved situation to the completion of the 132 Transmission Injection Sub-Station project along Jikwoi Road in Karu.
Jambo also explained that ``all the 10 vandalised transformers in Mararaba have been re-activated and are back in service''.
He expressed appreciation to the Karu Business Manager for her unrelenting efforts in achieving the success.
The PHCN official also appealed to consumers to ``reciprocate the gesture by coming forward to settle their electricity bills".
The supervisor further told NAN that the PHCN contractors had commenced the installations of the pre-paid meters (PPM) in the Mararaba axis.
``The installations of the PPM project is going on now in Mararaba, commencing from Baba Street, behind the Mararaba Building Materials Market.
``May I use this medium to appeal to the residents to cooperate with the contractors for the smooth installations of the Pre Paid Meters.
``The PPM project is a free gesture of the Federal Government and nobody is asked to pay even a naira for the installation,'' he said.
Jambo equally appealed to the residents to be vigilant by protecting the renovated transformers in their areas, pointing out that ``it is the responsibility of all citizens to protect PHCN facilities where ever they are located''.
(NAN)