The January 9 blackout Editorial February 24, 2021 An inquiry into the countrywide power blackout on January 9 this year has arrived at the conclusion that it had occurred due to a human error, the Power Division informed a parliamentary committee on Monday. The inquiry report has pinned the blame for the breakdown on some officials working at the Guddu Thermal Power Plant, bringing once again to the fore the disorganisation that characterises most spheres of public life in the country. The blackout caused major disruption in the normal life of millions besides affecting industrial and agricultural production. In light of the finding of a preliminary inquiry report, the Central Power Generation Company had suspended seven of its employees for alleged negligence. The Power Division has received three reports on the electricity blackout and it will submit them to the federal cabinet. The Power Division’s inquiry report has also mentioned those failing to improve the National Transmission and Despatch Company’s functioning. The report has stressed the need for putting in place preventive steps to ensure that failure of one plant does not render the entire system dysfunctional.