National blackout and fuel scarcity? It’s different in Maiduguri!

Telecommunication companies were sending messages for possible shutdown of their facilities; banks were issuing notices of early closure; the aviation sector was also hit by aviation fuel scarcity that culminated into delays and cancellations of flights; other public and private organizations couldn’t power their generators (the perpetual alternate source of power in the country) due […]

Telecommunication companies were sending messages for possible shutdown of their facilities; banks were issuing notices of early closure; the aviation sector was also hit by aviation fuel scarcity that culminated into delays and cancellations of flights; other public and private organizations couldn’t power their generators (the perpetual alternate source of power in the country) due to scarcity of products from the “black gold”.
Homes and offices were also unable to fuel their generators, thus, were becoming “functionlesic” and, in some places, bakeries from the harsh hot dry weather. Road transportation fares skyrocketed and the road transport system was almost going to be unavailable as motorists couldn’t cope with the scarcity and exorbitant prices of fuel and other petroleum products. The problem lists were endless and some people began speculating that it may be possible that Nigerians were actually being punished for their voting choices on March 28 and April 11 2015 by a “dying” government.
What most Nigerians didn’t know was that the state of the nation at that time had been the “norm” in Maiduguri for the past 3 to 4 years. This is in addition to the insecurity in Maiduguri which has consumed countless lives and properties of innocent citizens. Maiduguri was without telecommunication from March-December 2013; Maiduguri survived total absence of electricity from the national grid for 8 months; banks in Maiduguri have been on 9am-1pm opening-closing schedule since 2011; Some essential commodities and other necessities of life have not been coming to Maiduguri because of the nature of the roads leading to the town and in fact the only road leading into and out of Maiduguri has been the Damaturu-Maiduguri road. The other roads have become no go areas due to Boko Haram activities. Maiduguri was almost becoming a ghost town at one time because life wasn’t normal.
Fortunately for those of us living in Maiduguri and indeed for every Nigerian, a new government has just been inaugurated. We wish them well and we pray that The Almighty God protects and guides the new government in doing what is good and right for Nigeria and Nigerians. The former government has done whatever it felt were right/wrong to Nigeria and Nigerians in order to leave a legacy and memorable “miseries”. But one lesson is certain that what Nigerians are experiencing in form of a nation almost being shutdown isn’t new to residents of Maiduguri. It has happened LIVE nationwide and THIS TOO WILL PASS as did the government that just ended. With a new administration in place, it will be well and hearty with all of us by God’s grace.

Dr Muhammad Sani Ahmadu, Consultant Radiologist, UMTH, Maiduguri @drahm