Iraqis Remain Starved of Electricity

[deadparrot]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Abbas Mutlaq and Thaer al-Mufti live at opposite ends of Iraq, but both have given up on the government to supply electricity, turning instead to private generators to keep the lights on.

And both say the power supply situation has worsened since the 2003 overthrow of
Saddam Hussein despite the billions of dollars set aside by the Bush administration for reconstruction.

"Before the fall of the regime, power was three hours on, three hours off," said Mutlaq, an auto parts dealer in the southern city of Basra. "Now it comes on for a total of just eight hours (a day) and maybe less."

For many Iraqis, chronic power problems have become a litmus test of American promises of a better life without Saddam's tyranny.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq_electrical_woes

[leftchick]

1. and water too!

IRAQ: Severe water shortage hits Baghdad suburbs
06 Feb 2006 18:28:47 GMT

Source: IRIN

BAGHDAD, 6 February (IRIN) - Residents of Baghdad's suburbs have been experiencing serious water shortages for a month due to poor infrastructure, leaking pipes and wastage, according to experts.

"Water wastage in the capital, along with bad infrastructure, has increased," said Saleh Ra'ad, a senior official at the Ministry of Water Resources.

"Now Iraqis are suffering the consequences and have only a few hours of water daily."

Nearly half a million people have been affected by the scarcity. In some areas, water is available for only a few hours at night and for less than two hours during the day in other areas.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/b4ed7d9f2eff04f4e7db5b361849684d.htm

at least they are free to be thirsty and cold.

[pinniped]

2. The jig is up.

Billions may have allegedly been set aside for reconstruction but where it really went is another story.

Any word on when the senate hearings into the missing billions is set to commence?

--despite the billions of dollars set aside by the * administration for reconstruction.--

[Rex]

3. 8 hours, just long enough to work a full day for the BFEE

then retire to a cold, dark hole in the ground. Iraq's economy will NEVER be rebuilt on 8 hours of electricity, never ever ever.