By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Some residents of Maiduguri have cried out over power outage adversely affecting the city and its environs for the past five days.
A cross section of residents, who spoke with the Dandal Kura Radio International on Wednesday in Maiduguri, said the outage had affected many small scale businesses.
One of the residents, Salisu Mohammed said they use to enjoy steady electricity but now it is total blackout. Adding that they thought it was just the usual fault that will be rectified in few hours but they are now on the fifth day.
Staff of Yola Electricity Distribution Company Mohammed Muhammed said that the fault was in the bush along Damaturu Maiduguri road which requires security escort to repair because of insurgents.
A soft drink seller, Ibrahim Musa also lamented the lack of electricity, which he said was affecting his business seriously.
Stressing that due to hot weather being experienced in Maiduguri and environ people patronise cold drinks now but lack of electricity has dwindled sales by 70 per cent.
Some zobo drink hawkers, Amina Yakubu, Janet Isaac and Hajara Salisu also lamented on the outage that had adversely affected their businesses because they cannot find ice blocks to buy to cool their drinks.
However, for mechanics servicing generators, their businesses have recorded a boom.
According to a mechanic, who simply identified himself as Isa Mechanic said there is a sudden rise in his business as people are bringing their generators.