Repeated electricity outages lead to frustration [Archives:2004/749/Front Page]

Yemen Times Staff
A number of incidents linked to electricity outages, that increased in number lately, have caused outrage in various parts of the country. Electricity outages in Sanaa, Taiz, Aden, and other cities have increased notably in the last few weeks. In the Capital for instance, outages occur on a daily basis, and sometimes more than once a day. It was said that electricity outages were temporary and were necessary to apply maintenance and upgrade operations.
Tragic incident in Taiz
Among the most devastating incidents related to electricity outages occurred in a Taiz, where the house of Abdullah Qaid Al-Odine, 55, was burnt down. The fire is believed to have been started by a candle, which was being used to light the house instead of the erratic electricity supply.
The fire, at midnight, destroyed the house's bedrooms and inflicted burns on Al-Odine's wife. Citizens believe that the state's strategy in the electricity sector has failed tremendously as the Electricity Corporation did not deliver promises to provide continuous electrical current. Outages have become the norm in most of the country, especially in the last few years.
The electricity failures have been particularly devastating to tens of thousands of students currently taking their secondary final exams.
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