A committee established to investigate the causes of twin fires at Nouakchott's power transmission plants is set to submit its report to Mauritania's Prime Minister, Mochtar Ould Ajay. The committee, which has been working for several weeks, looked into the August fires that caused widespread power outages in several Nouakchott neighborhoods.
The fires occurred at the city's Eastern and Western power transmission plants. The first fire, at the Eastern plant, which operates at 33/15 kilovolts, resulted in power outages in parts of Touguenine, Dar Naeem, and some Erfat neighborhoods. The next day, a fire broke out at the Western transmission plant, causing outages in much of Tferg Zine, parts of Lakhsar and Sebkha, and affecting lines that power Nouakchott International Airport, the Taniit port, and Aghnoudiert.
The investigative committee was formed in the aftermath of the fires to determine their direct and indirect causes, identify associated responsibilities, and review the response to the fires and efforts to restore power and rehabilitate the plants. The committee is headed by Othman Mamoudou Kane and includes Sidi Mohamed Ould Bide, Othman Tal, Mohamed Kori Chen, and Mohamedou Yahya Baba, as well as experts from Swiss ECG and German INTEC.
During its work, the committee heard from officials and employees of the Mauritanian Electricity Company (SOMLEC), representatives of supplying companies, and called in dozens of individuals to testify about the circumstances of the fires and the operating conditions of the plants. The committee's goal was to shed light on the events and provide recommendations.
The fires had significant impacts on daily life in Nouakchott, causing disruptions in several neighborhoods. The authorities have been working to prevent such incidents in the future and to improve the reliability of the power supply. The report's submission marks a key step in addressing these issues.
The committee's findings and recommendations will be reviewed by the Prime Minister and relevant authorities. The government has expressed its commitment to taking necessary measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure a stable power supply for the population.
The twin fires highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure and effective emergency response planning. The government's response to the committee's report will be closely watched by the public and stakeholders.
Key points
- The committee was headed by Othman Mamoudou Kane and included experts from Swiss ECG and German INTEC.
- The fires caused widespread power outages in several Nouakchott neighborhoods.
- The report's submission marks a key step in addressing the issues and preventing similar incidents.
