IRAQ: Power shortages continue to affect millions

[Clara T]

IRAQ: Power shortages continue to affect millions
19 Jan 2006 06:26:56 GMT
Source: IRIN
BAGHDAD, 19 January (IRIN) - Lengthy power cuts over the past two weeks due to insecurity and a decrease in oil production are seriously affecting the lives of Iraqis in the capital, Baghdad.

With temperatures below zero degrees centigrade, residents of the city are currently getting fewer than eight hours of electricity per day, making them dependant on generators which require fuel that is both in short supply and prohibitively priced.

"I can't afford a generator and can't buy food because my refrigerator is constantly subject to power cuts," said Mariam Hussein, resident of Sad'r City, a major suburb of the capital. "We have less than six hours of power daily."

The closure in December of a major oil refinery in the northern town of Baiji, say observers, made the situation considerably worse, increasing the number of daily power cuts in Baghdad.

Khalid Ala'a, a senior official at the electricity ministry, blames the deteriorating security situation: "The difficulties in guaranteeing security to our employees and the increase of demand for power during the winter season have caused a decrease in the production of power at our plants," Ala'a said.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1fe3a6f8b28b45bf7bbd3df0d65870ba.htm

[LynnTheDem]

1. Better off under Hussein. That's a fact.

bush; worse than Hussein.

Another fact.

And here's a corker...the US of A is getting WORSE human rights reports than Iraq did under Hussein.

But hey, it's ok when WE do it.

[Dover]

2. Well,if they'll just be patient....

the Bushies will bomb them out of their misery. Well over 30,000 Iraqis dead already...should do wonders to cut power demand.