Of electricity and generators

Five out of seven days of the week, there’s no electricity from when work starts until the sun sets (8 am to 7 pm). Call it whatever you like – rationing, failure – it makes no difference. There’s actually a schedule put out by Tanesco (the para-statal that controls the electricity distribution) telling people at what time which parts of the city will have power cuts. In true Dar style though, the schedule is rarely followed.

Currently, it’s the hottest part of the year. Sitting in an office without even a fan is equivalent to a non-functioning brain. Of course, when there’s electricity, we get air conditioning; such luxury.

So, generators are essential. Not only to power our laptops, printers, and telephones, but to maintain our sanity. Unfortunately, due to an unequal office sharing agreement, the generator at my office is sometimes turned off without notice. Plus the generator breaks down without notice either. I’ve had more than once when I’ve nervously watched the minutes pass on my computer clock, crossing my fingers for the electricity to come on so I can print documents needed for a meeting. Thank goodness for a laptop with an 8-hour battery.

The fact is, this doesn’t happen because Tanesco is unable to provide reliable electricity. When I first arrived in August, there was electricity every day and night, dry season notwithstanding. It’s because the elections have passed and the politicians can’t be bothered anymore. Rumour has it that Tanesco signed a contract with an electricity provider, paid all the money in advance, and the provider squandered it all. Now the whole city is down. Can you imagine paying that much money in advance for a whole year of electricity for a city as big as Dar? Especially without anything to hold the provider responsible if they don’t provide as agreed? I simply can’t even fathom it. Of course, the government doesn’t admit to this rumour. I’ve only heard of it from my friend who is a reporter who heard of it from her reporter friends (yes, that’s how things work here, you hear it from someone who hears it from someone).

I take so much for granted back home. It’s humbling to be here, to experience how dependent I am on things to run as normal. There’s never a normal. At the most important timing, what can go wrong, will go wrong. We’ll just have to deal with it.

** Plus, the price of electricity went up by 18% after the elections. Surprise much?**