In Chad, the government declares free water and electricity until the end of the year. The announcement was made by the Minister of Finance via a circular, dated Monday March 11, which specifies that the bills will be covered by the State within the limit of 300 kWh per month and per household. The authorities also announced a 50% reduction in several taxes on passenger transport.
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With our correspondent in Ndjamena, Carol Valade
The measure takes place on the first day of the month of Ramadan. The day before, during his wishes, the transitional president asked the Chadians to “ forgiveness and patience » for failing to provide constant access to water and electricity.
For two weeks, many neighborhoods in the capital have been plunged into darkness and even the most favored areas of the city center have power only at night, when the temperature is around 45°.
The State will therefore pay household water and electricity bills as well as current arrears. But the circular does not specify how the measure will be financed.
Concerning transport, it also remains to be seen whether companies will indeed pass on the reduction in taxes on their prices which had already almost doubled, following the sudden increase in fuel prices in mid-February, provoking a movement of anger among unions.
The latter have just voted, this Monday, March 11, to go on strike “ dry and unlimited “.
As soon as the circular has been published, Internet users are ironic about the free availability of a commodity that has become so rare, while others see it as an electoral measure, two months before the presidential election.
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