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Monrovia gets mains electricity for first time in 10 years source: IRINNews.org | Nov 23, 03 | submitted by Ryan

Monrovia, Liberia - Children danced in the streets of the Liberian capital Monrovia on Friday night and cars flashed their blinker lights in celebration after mains electricity was restored to part of the city for the first time in 10 years.

The European Union (EU) has provided a diesel-powered generator at a cost of $100,000 and fuel to run it.

However, officials said power lines were torn down and transformer equipment was stolen during Liberia's 14-year civil war, so restoring electricity to all of Monrovia would take some time.

Over the last decade only those wealthy enough to afford private generators have been able to light their homes and power their air conditioners.

The lights were turned on first in the eastern suburb of Sinkor, where the presidential palace, parliament buildings and judiciary are located.

“Now I know that Liberia is getting back on its feet again,” said taxi driver Isaac Jacobs.

The EU promised in mid-September that power would be restored to Monrovia "within a matter of days."

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