WESTERN REGION
 
KARONGI — The week’s long power black out in Karongi district has received angry reactions from residents. As technicians embarked on rehabilitation work to strengthen power supply in the region residents The New Times talked to residents most of whom expressed disappointments on what they termed as ‘a prolonged black out’.

Electrogaz, the national power and water distribution utility, last wednesday announced an eight day power blackout in the whole district to allow rehabilitation work at Karongi sub station which is currently underway. Most of the electricity users who spoke to The New Times two days into the period have complained of inconvenience and unexpected expenditure as a result of turning on to back up generators.

Emile Nsanzabaganwa, the Director General of Gisovu Tea Factory located in Twumba sector lamented that it was definitely costly as there is no alternative other than buying fuel on a daily basis.

"It means that we will spend a lot of money to operate our back up generator which will probably use over 700 litres of diesel during this week,” Nsanzabaganwa told The New Times over the phone yesterday.

Just like the main tea factory in the region, many other institutions have also experienced frustration at the prolonged power shortage.

However other residents sided with the work of the power utility firm. Richard Mugambage, the manager of the teachers’ credit and savings society  Umwalimu Sacco has expressed optimism despite the unexpected extra expenditure that has to be  incurred.

"We shall also be required to spend a little more on fuel but I am sure that the long term benefits are much better. It is understandable if one can afford to wait and allow the rehabilitation  work to go on successfully,” Mugambage observed.

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