OTJIWARONGO – Several businesses in Otjiwarongo had to rely on backup generators after a power outage hit the town at around 10h00 on Sunday morning lasting throughout Monday.
Some residents said they had to trash meat, dairy and other perishable products ruined when their refrigerators thawed, spoiling huge amounts of food.
Theo’s SuperSpar and Pick n Pay yesterday confirmed they had to use backup generators to keep the lights on and their doors open for business. And, although power has been restored to about 90 percent of Otjiwarongo residents, several businesses confirmed the power continued to trip by yesterday morning.
According to the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor, CENORED, the Orwetoweni, Tsaraxa-Aibes, DRC, Ombili and other parts of Otjiwarongo felt the brunt of power outages due to a fault that developed in Otjiwarongo’s network on Sunday morning. “Our Technical Department is working around the clock to reactivate alternative medium voltage supply lines to the affected areas. Teams from Tsumeb and Grootfontein have been called in for assistance. CENORED will commit all its staff and resort to external expertise if so required,” stated Ekonia Mudjanima, CENORED’s Executive Manager for Corporate Services.
“At Theo’s SuperSpar we were able to engage our backup generator. However, we are more concerned about the potential electrical damage to equipment and software damage to our computers,” said SuperSpar’s co-owner, Rehuel Borstlap.
Meanwhile, a Pick n Pay manager, who preferred anonymity, also confirmed the supermarket had to activate its backup generator.
“The most affected area was our production area, as we have not been able to produce as much as we wanted to,” said the Pick n Pay manager.
CENORED’s Mudjanima explained the electricity supply problem lies somewhere on the main supply through the centre of town. However, he pointed out that the exact fault has not been pinpointed yet for repair.
“Fault finding procedures will continue during the day and related interruptions must be expected. Please switch off all your TVs and unused equipment, especially during an interruption. Use your lights as indicators to see when power has returned permanently and then only switch on your equipment again. Those customers that have power have not been selected on priorities, but simply on power supply line availability,” noted Mudjanima.
“CENORED is fully aware of the unfortunate situation and indeed appreciates the customer’s’ patience and co-operation under adverse conditions. We have so far managed to restore power to 90 percent of our customers and others will be attended to in due course,” said Mudjanima.