There was jubilation in Imo State on Thursday following restoration of power supply by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) after two weeks of blackout in the South-eastern state.
The blackout followed the declaration of strike in the state by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 1 November to protest the assault on the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in the state.
Some residents of the state told Premium Times on Thursday afternoon that the power supply was restored in the state in the early hours of Thursday after the industrial action was suspended by the labour unions on Wednesday.
Tony Ojukwu, a resident of Douglas Area of Owerri, the state capital, said there were shouts of joy in the area when the power supply was restored at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.
“You know it’s been more than two weeks we have not had light. So people were so happy,” he said.
Benjamin Ohadoma, who resides at Okolochi in Owerri West Council Area of the state, said the power supply was restored on Thursday afternoon in the area.
“Everybody was surprised that the light was restored. So, we were shouting and jubilating,” Mr Ohadoma said.
He said the blackout had affected them adversely particularly in pumping of water and powering of electronic devices.
“It has not been easy for us. Water has been scarce here since then. I am trying to pump water now,” he added.
Another resident of Owerri, who identified himself simply as Joseph, said, “We have suffered too much because of the power outage.”
“I recently suffered dislocation while competing for water,” said Mr Joseph, a taxi driver.
Meanwhile, some residents in other parts of the state told Premium Times they were yet to have power restored in their areas.
One of them, David Oyewale, who resides near Federal University of Technology Owerri, said power supply was yet to be restored as of 3 p.m. on Thursday.
