For close to three days, some people in different parts of the country had a power blackout as they were unable to access the pre-paid Cashpower.

Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, Odette Mbabazi, the managing director of Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL), said a serious "technical network problem” caused the failure.

"The issue has been solved. By Wednesday, we were able to have 70 per cent back on the grid and today (Thursday), the remaining part has been sorted out,” said Mbabazi.

Jeanine Kanyange, a resident of Kabeza-Kanombe Sector, told this paper she had gone without power at her home for close to two days, which affected her soft drinks business.

"I could not buy Cashpower. I was told that there was network problem. This is the second day with no electricity; the business has now come to a halt,” said Kanyange.

However, a reliable source from Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) confirmed to The New Times that in spite of their apology, REG and the management of EUCL could serve a penalty once a report from its legal department shows there was recklessness in service delivery.

"Our legal department is examining the matter and we shall issue a formal statement regarding the issues when the approval is made by the board,” said the source, who preferred anonymity.

Mbabazi said they were ready to explain themselves to Rura and the public.

"We are ready to talk and negotiate with everyone affected as well as RURA. It was a very complicated network problem which we had no much control over, but we managed to contain it eventually,” Mbabazi said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw