Persistent power cuts affecting businesses

GATSIBO/NYAGATARE – Traders in Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts say they are making losses due to persistent power cuts in the region. Since the beginning of this year, sources say the whole of Eastern Province has been experiencing power cuts attributed to the ongoing optic Fibre cable connection works. ‘It has adversely affected our businesses especially some of us dealing in perishable or cold soft drinks like milk and sodas,’ Alex Ndagijimana, a milk boutique vendor in Kiramuluzi, Gatsibo district, said. ‘I was in Karongi district (Western Province) recently but the district did not experience power cuts until connection works were completed. I wonder why this is only happening here.’ Jane Mutamba, another milk trader in Matimba sector, Nyagatare district said: ‘I have so far incurred a loss of Rwf500, 000 since the power black outs begun. I lost a huge quantity of milk in the process.’ An official of the Rwanda Electricity Company (RECO) in Nyagatare, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he does not speak on behalf of the company, told The New Times that power cuts are likely to persist until early April. ‘The Fibre Optic connection affected the whole province. The reconnection works still need more time,’ he said. Ends