UUP councillor Taylor praises NIE storm response efforts
Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor has praised the efforts of NIE to restore power to local households after Storm Eowyn.
He was commenting as NIE Networks said they expect to have restored electricity supplies to all households and businesses impacted by Storm Éowyn today (Monday, February 3).
As of 8am this morning approximately 400 customers across Northern Ireland remain without power with crews working to draw the restoration efforts to a close.
Cllr Taylor said: “I want to commend NIE for the enormous efforts they have undertaken over the past week to restore the electricity network in areas locally and indeed across Northern Ireland.
“NIE engineers faced what can only be described as an unprecedented situation such was the extent of damage caused to the electricity network.
“They undertook to work around the clock to restore power supplies to thousands of households in very challenging circumstances and huge thanks must be offered to them and engineer teams who came over from GB to assist with the restoration process.
“Thanks must also be offered to the emergency services, DFI Roads staff and other government agencies for their roles in the recovery efforts.
“There were many within the local community who volunteered support in different ways such as helping to clear roads and through the opening of their facilities so that people could get some heat, warm food and the opportunity to charge devices. Sincere thanks must be offered to everyone who assisted in this regard.
“It was a difficult period for many families including in particular elderly and vulnerable members of our community as they went for days without a power supply.
“There are still some issues in terms of broadband and mobile connectivity as significant damage was caused to those networks also. It is imperative that these are addressed as a matter of priority especially in the isolated rural areas affected.
“As any review is undertaken by government agencies and NIE into the storm response, I hope it can help identity areas where service enhancements can occur if such a weather event happens in the future.”