Kandahar residents complain of power outages

 KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Residents on Saturday complained of unscheduled power loadshedding in southern Kandahar province, with officials claiming a revenue increase.

Deputy Director of Water and Energy Amanullah Farooqui told reporters the revenue of this directorate had risen to $2.3 million over the past 10 months from id=”mce_marker”.53 million in the previous Afghan year.

“We have brought 90 percent improvement to the electricity distribution system, fixing faults and preventing line losses, the official said.

The Water and Energy Ministry would install a 3^rd turbine at the Kajaki power dam in neighbouring Helmand province to further augment electricity supply, he said, without giving a specific date.

Currently, Kandahar had 27 megawatts of power (19 megawatts from Kajaki and eight produced by generators), he added.

On the other hand, residents accused the directorate of failing to provide them enough electricity. They said the situation remained frustrating, as their repeated demands and complaints went unheeded.

Jamal, an inhabitant of the 2^nd police district in Kandahar City poured scorn on the directorate’s claims regarding the improved supply regime. He said they frequently went without light.

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