Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE543
2009-12-10 08:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

GABON: UTILITY PROBLEMS PLAGUE LIBREVILLE

Tags:  ECON PGOV GB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2386
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHLC #0543 3440837
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100837Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1571
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000543 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR A/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV GB
SUBJECT: GABON: UTILITY PROBLEMS PLAGUE LIBREVILLE

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000543

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR A/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV GB
SUBJECT: GABON: UTILITY PROBLEMS PLAGUE LIBREVILLE


1. Summary: Electrical and water service in Gabon is
becoming increasingly unreliable and is presenting a
potentially serious challenge to the government. Previously
unheard of, rolling blackouts, frequent power outages, and
lack of water are now common. The partially
government-managed Electrical and Water Society of Gabon
(SEEG) was already struggling to meet power demands in
Libreville when a transformer supplying power in the capital
blew up, leaving large portions of the city without power for
over thirty hours. Short-term solutions include rolling
blackouts while the Government seeks new investors in the
moribund utilities sector. The outages are increasing the
cost of post operations and beginning to affect morale. End
Summary.



2. Gabon's faltering electrical sector was exposed in 2007
when poor rainfall led to noticeable power shortages. Since
that time, SEEG has struggled to meet the increased consumer
demand for service. A transformer in Libreville blew up on
November 25 leaving entire sections of the city without power
for up to 30 hours, something previously unheard of in
Libreville. Since then, SEEG has been unable to regularly
supply power to the entire city as it works to repair the
long-term damage to the transformer. The Commercial Director
for SEEG publically announced that a new transformer and
generator were ordered "in April" but that they will not be
installed for the next six to eight months. In the meantime,
the Commercial Director noted that it will be difficult
supplying power and water for all of the city residents. As
a result, there will be rolling blackouts. The persistent
problems led the Government to set up an energy regulatory
body and begin an audit of SEEG while it looks for new, more
qualified companies to invest in electricity and water.



3. Water supply is a similar problem. With a reduction of
power, water pumps are ceasing to function at expected
levels. Numerous areas of Libreville do not have water for
many hours per day and water pressure is low. An increasing
number of Libreville residents have begun to meet their daily
water demands via public spigots and nearby creeks, which
could become a significant public health issue.



4. Comment: Sixty percent of Gabon's residents live in
Libreville. Public frustration is growing with the
unreliable power and water supply. Problems will likely grow
more acute when the upcoming dry season begins in the next
two weeks, making water even scarcer, and residents even more
agitated. We expect dissatisfaction to grow over the next
six months and there to be increased pressure on the
government to reverse the situation, particularly ahead of
upcoming local and national elections. Meanwhile, the
Embassy is trying to ensure that back-up power is provided to
residences and post operations are not affected. However,
unpredictable power outages and a water supply that is
frequently reduced to a trickle are beginning to have an
impact on post morale. END COMMENT.
REDDICK