MINISTER OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES IMPROVED ELECTRICITY

UNCLAS CONAKRY 001114 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON FNRG PGOV GV SUBJECT: MINISTER OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES IMPROVED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ¶1. Over national television the evening of October 4, the Minister of Energy and Hydrology, Goumou Gnanga Koumata, announced that the electricity supply in Conakry has improved. He stated that the government is doing everything it can to make electricity available despite the significant technical and financial problems plaguing the government-owned electric company EDG. Referring to recent civil disturbances in several Conakry neighborhoods, Koumata asked youths to desist from attacking EDG employees and from destroying electrical installations since such activities will only aggravate the situation. Koumata assured the population that electricity will continue to be available even after the end of the rainy season when summer heat normally takes a substantial toll on equipment. Koumata also urged consumers to pay their electrical bills. ¶2. With respect to the city,s water supply, Koumata said the government is working hard to find a solution. He noted that there has been some improvement in certain neighborhoods, but that the supply falls short of what is needed. ¶3. Koumata,s address represents the first time Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate,s government has spoken directly to the population about improvements in public utilities. CARTER