Blackout continues in N. Aceh

Blackout continues in N. Aceh

BANDA ACEH: Residents of Lhokseumawe in North Aceh regency
complained about the continued blackout caused by troubles in the
power transmission unit in Rauntau Bayeun, East Aceh, damaged by
unidentified people recently.

Muhammad Karim, a resident of Lhokseumawe, said the blackout
started on Feb. 12, 2002 and so far no repair had been carried
out, causing disruption to local people's daily activities.

"Most people have used candles at night, while a few locals
used their own power generators," he said, stating that the
blackout had also plagued Pidie and several areas in East Aceh.

Karim said most locals were living in fear because of the
continuing blackout in the town.

Chief of the local office of state electricity company PT PLN
Sulaiman Daud said his office needed many weeks to repair the
damaged power transmission equipment.

According to him, the power supply to PLN consumers would
return to normal by the middle of March, 2002.

The province has experienced cuts in power supplies from North
Sumatra province three times over the last four months. --Antara