Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY1109
2007-10-05 08:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

WORD FROM THE STREET - ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS BETTER

Tags:  ECON ENRG PGOV GV 
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VZCZCXRO7706
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #1109 2780858
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050858Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1719
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001109 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV GV
SUBJECT: WORD FROM THE STREET - ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS BETTER

REF: CONAKRY 1083

UNCLAS CONAKRY 001109

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV GV
SUBJECT: WORD FROM THE STREET - ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS BETTER

REF: CONAKRY 1083


1. SUMMARY. Interviews with street vendors and merchants
throughout the capital city revealed that the availability of
electrical power has significantly improved in recent weeks
despite several unauthorized demonstrations protesting lack
of public utilities. Many citizens attribute the
improvements to Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate,s government.
END SUMMARY.


2. Embassy staff informally polled residents of twelve
districts in Conakry on October 1 in order to ascertain
citizens, general impressions of the availability of
electricity and water. Visited neighborhoods include areas
where there has been heightened civil unrest and a number of
unauthorized street demonstrations over the last month.

--------------
WE HAVE MORE POWER ) MOST OF US ANYWAY
--------------


3. Based on interviewees, comments, there seems to be a
general consensus that the city,s electrical supply has
significantly improved in recent weeks. Uninterrupted power
is reportedly available in some neighborhoods although there
are still instances of brief outages. In other areas,
merchants reported that while they have seen a significant
improvement, power cuts remain frequent. Several merchants
expressed appreciation toward the government for the improved
situation saying that they have seen increases in sales,
customer satisfaction and profits. Others commented that
they would consider new investments if the trend continues.


4. However, in Hamdallaye, home to most of the recent
unauthorized demonstrations, the electrical transformer is
broken and the district has been without power for a few
weeks. A furniture merchant commented on the Ministry of
Interior,s recent announcement of its intent to enforce
legal prohibitions of unauthorized demonstrations (reftel)
saying that &something needs to be done to address these
problems.8 He added that law and order is necessary and
that continued demonstrations and/or civil unrest is bad for
business.


5. Some merchants expressed skepticism as to whether the
government can maintain the improved power supply, noting
that with the end of the rainy season and the onslaught of
summer heat, it will be difficult for equipment to operate
without breakdowns. While citizens have observed some
improvements, others remain dissatisfied and are demanding
that the government do more to address the problem.

--------------
BUT NO WATER
--------------


6. With respect to water, merchants generally agreed that
the supply is inadequate and that there has been little to no
visible improvement. Most of the visited neighborhoods have
access to water once every 72 hours. In another district,
water is available only once a week. Some people in these
neighborhoods reportedly have to purchase bottled water in
order to satisfy their needs.

--------------
THANKS TO KOUYATE
--------------


7. Many interviewees attributed the recent improvements to
Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate,s government. However, a
number of citizens commented that the government is not
communicating its progress and should implement a public
communications strategy in order to take credit for its
successes.
CARTER