Fatshimetrie, August 31, 2024 (Fatshimetrie News) – An act of vandalism has plunged the city of Likasi, in the Haut-Katanga province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, into darkness. Thirteen electrical cabins were put out of service after 25 meters of electrical cables were stolen, causing significant inconvenience in the region.
The National Electricity Company (SNEL S.A) has confirmed that malicious individuals stole part of the underground electrical cables of the MT 6.6 kilovolt feeder Likasi 3 line, thus affecting the distribution of electricity in several key sectors of the city. Strategic locations such as the Likasi town hall, the SNCC Hospital camp, part of the city center, the Military Engineering camp, and the Daco General Reference Hospital were affected by this power outage.
This situation has raised concerns among residents and medical staff in the region, particularly at the Daco General Reference Hospital. Dr. Hugues Kilufya, the medical director of the facility, expressed his concern about the impact of this outage on patient care, particularly in sensitive departments such as the operating room and hematology. The management of surgical cases and the monitoring of premature babies are compromised in the absence of electricity, putting the lives of many patients at risk.
This situation highlights the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure to acts of vandalism and underlines the importance of strengthening the security of electricity networks to ensure the continuity of essential services. Local authorities and SNEL S.A are working actively to restore the situation and identify the perpetrators of this reprehensible act.
Until the situation returns to normal, the residents of Likasi must show patience and solidarity to overcome this temporary difficulty. Community resilience and public service commitment will be essential to overcome this ordeal and ensure the well-being of all.
Fatshimetrie News will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in Likasi and provide all the information necessary to inform and raise awareness among the population on the importance of preserving the region’s vital infrastructure.