Electricity restored to second northern town

The state electricity utility in the Central African Republic, Enerca, has restored power to the northern town of Kaga Bandoro, 342 km north of the capital, Bangui, state-owned Radio Centrafrique reported. Repairs on the town’s giant generator were complete on 15 October, prompting jubilation among town residents. However, the radio said some suburbs were still in darkness because some looted parts of the generator had not been replaced. Many northern towns have had their electricity supplies cut since October 2002, when Francois Bozize launched a rebellion against President Ange-Felix Patasse’s administration. The war, which caused extensive damages to Enerca’s installations, ended on 15 March with Bozize overthrowing Patasse. Kaga Bandoro, in Nana Grebizi Province, was among the worst affected towns during the six-month rebellion. It is the second town in the north after Bozoum, 384 northwest of Bangui, to have its electricity restored. These developments have taken place as humanitarian workers and government health officials are trying to resume their immunisation drive in the north, where no child has been vaccinated since October 2002. The International Committee of Red Cross received 10 vaccine storage freezers on Wednesday to be distributed to health facilities in the north. Kaga Bandoro Hospital will be among those to receive a freezer when distribution begins on Tuesday.