Residents of the city of Kinshasa are complaining about untimely power cuts and increased power cuts, noted a Radio Okapi reporter on Friday, April 12. Most heads of households or traders whose activities depend on electricity say that this situation has become a real headache for them. Above all, it generates additional expenses.
For example, businesses in the fresh food sales sector are suffering losses or even reducing some of their activities.
« Last month and this month we threw away a lot of goods due to the lack of electricity. Consequence: we no longer even know how to renew the stock », deplores a seller of frozen products.
Those who can, use generators to keep their business afloat.
« We have a serious problem taking care of our customers, we are forced to use the generator », says Caro, a hair salon owner.
Using a generator involves more expenses and forces some merchants to review the prices of their services.
« We grind a basin of cassava chips for two thousand Congolese francs, with the group, it’s three thousand francs », explains Blaise who manages a mill.
Within households, the lack of electricity and untimely cuts disrupt the budget. Expenses have increased because it is necessary to find alternative energy sources such as fuel for generators, embers, gas and batteries, explains Aurore, a housewife:
« Let’s take the purchase of gas which already costs fifty-eight thousand francs, batteries, flashlights, extension cords.
The provincial director of the National Electricity Company (SNEL), Denis Tukuzu, said last week that load shedding in Kinshasa has gone from stage 2 for a few weeks; time for SNEL to finalize ongoing modernization work at the Inga II dam. But apart from load shedding, say some users, problems with the SNEL cables and electrical cabins also make it difficult to provide electricity.