Maiduguri residents groan as heat begins

From: Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Residents of Maiduguri, Borno State capital have expressed concern over intense sun of the Sahel Sahara region as the heat season enters its second week in the area.

The initial wintry weather in the earlier part of the year had disappeared coming with a sunny weather mid March with temperature rising as high as 36 degree Celsius.

Many residents said they are forced to leave their offices mid-day especially with epileptic electricity supply to seek for relief under trees until sunset.

“The temperature is becoming unbearable and I have to leave my office because there was no light. The Neem tree here provide relief to us until closing hour,” Bala Abdullahi, a civil servant told Daily Sun at the Federal Secretariat in Maiduguri, on Thursday.

He expressed concern over the increasing heat in the area a month ahead of the heat season. The heat season usually begins in April with temperature sometimes rising to 45 degree Celsius, leading to outbreak of cerebral disease, meningitis and measles.

Medical experts have been warning residents against sleeping in unventilated rooms, urging residents to take more fluid or water throughout the season to avoid dehydration.

While many residents are complaining about the heat, some have been smiling to banks. Kabiru Musa who sells ice water said he preferred the heat season than other seasons of the year.

“The Sun and heat season are good for our business. At least, I am now able to meet most of my needs, pay my children school fee and increase my business. I get up to N3, 000 daily after offsetting my expenses,” he disclosed.