The year changes, load shedding remains
The daily lives of Malagasy people continue to be punctuated by power cuts. A resource that has become rare for years and which, today, seems to be a luxury for many. Just yesterday, the national water and electricity company alerted residents of the capital to a “forced” use of rotating load shedding. According to the announcement published by Jirama on its Facebook page, each outage lasted approximately two hours. These rotating interruptions, which have a major impact on the daily lives of citizens, have unfortunately become a habit, even a norm. In its press release, Jirama justifies the situation by an insufficient fuel necessary for the operation of the thermal power plants of the Antananarivo Interconnected Network (RIA). “Added to this is the drying up of hydroelectric dams. she specifies.
Distress
Incessant power cuts do not only affect individuals. Small and medium-sized businesses as well as self-employed workers also suffer from this situation. “We can’t work as soon as the power goes out. How do you expect us to live or survive if our only income-generating activity is paralyzed? What they are doing is sabotage.”exclaims Lôlô, manager of an ironwork workshop in a district of the capital. Losses linked to power cuts are considerable. Fishmongers, hairdressers, carpentry workshops, internet cafes… So many economic activities which depend on a stable supply of electricity. These professions support thousands of households across the country, but today they are seriously threatened by energy instability.
José Belalahy
