ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar, 22nd December 2009 @ 21:04, Total Comments: 3, Hits: 1696
ZANZIBAR will remain in darkness for one month after some gadget in the power supply system from Tanzania Mainland collapsed on Monday. This means Zanzibaris and visitors to the isles will be inconvenienced during Christmas and New-Year celebrations.
Zanzibar Minister for Energy, Construction, Water and Land Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid said here yesterday that the blackout might last for at least one month.
“Unfortunately the gadget known as ‘splitter’ collapsed yesterday (Monday) when technicians attempted to switch on power after days of efforts to repair the main receiver at Fumba power station,” he said.
Fumba, Unguja West is the power station receiving electricity from Rasikiromoni, Tanzania mainland through submarine cable. Mr Mansour told reporters in his office in Zanzibar that already preparations were underway to purchase the ‘splitter’ from abroad.
“We ask people to remain patient as we try to restore electricity. We expect to complete the work within one month”, he explained.
Mr Mansour also emphasized that the current 45 megawatts cable transporting power from mainland was dilapidated and needed replacement urgently to avoid frequent breakdowns in future.
Frequent power failures in the isles have caused many problems including shortage of clean and safe water, and fuel, which in turn sparked price rise of commodities and fares.
However, Mr Mansour said that there was now sufficient fuel to last at least for one month. He said the government was also working round the clock to find alternative power by purchasing generators.
“We’re considering long term plans of producing power through wind and solar though they are very expensive projects”, the minister added.
Total Comments on the above stories (3)
Comment
This melody that the government is working round the clock to find alternative power by purchasing generators is no longer amusing piece of music nor entetaining. It is nauseating and had been persitingly choired at that time when we had a similar blackout problem.
Somebody must be accountable for this. No more politics, please. This is pure and utter negligence. It is objectionable to tell us the same chronicle again and again, with no common sense and responsiblity.
You people must step down. The earliear the better. You have failed the nation and Zanzibaris
Comment
This is absolutely crap! Why depend on power from mainland which has its own problems? Why not have gas/heavy fuel power generators in Zenj itself?
Comment
Mr Mansour can go fuck himself. He is always lying to avoid the local Zanzibari people tracking him down, and beating the religion out of him. People are suffering and spending what little money they have on diesel or petrol, just to make it to the next day. Food has become a luxury and water impossible to find.
The international community needs to intervene with the corruption on Zanzibar and stop these corrupt officials like Mansour and Amani Karume, and help the people.
The authorities are absolutely incompetent in providing any services to the people, yet they are all driving in brand new imported vehicles.
Pathetic, absolutely pathetic.
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