Kicukiro businesses decry power cuts

A three-day power blackout in Gatenga and some parts of Kicukiro sectors, Kigali has left many businesses counting losses estimated in millions of francs.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A three-day power blackout in Gatenga and some parts of Kicukiro sectors, Kigali has left many businesses counting losses estimated in millions of francs.The blackout has affected mainly hospitality, medical and small business service providers.Japhet Twagirayezu, a bar and restaurant manager, told The New Times, despite the normal power cuts this time around it has become too much. Twagirayezu, said he normally makes Rwf500.000 daily but now he doesn’t get even Rwf200.000 due to the shortage of electricity.Japhet Barame, clinic attendant at Gatenga sector said, "We have not done tests on patients in the last three days because of lack of electricity and we no longer sterilize our equipment.We can’t do anything, the clinic’s business has come to a standstill,” lamented Barame. When contacted, EWASA- Gikondo branch in charge of technical services, Peter Butera, explained that the power supply was caused by the construction works on Gatenga-Magerwa road.