2010-04-14
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger's state power company said on Tuesday it was investigating the cause of a power cut across the west of the country that has ground business in the capital to a virtual standstill.

The blackouts since Sunday have added to public frustration in the impoverished West African country, already facing severe food shortages and ongoing political upheaval that culminated in a military coup in February.

"Our teams have been on foot, working day and night to identify and fix the problem," Abdoulaarim Noma Kaka, head of the state power company Nigelec told Reuters.

Some 90 percent of electricity supply in Niger comes from power plants in neighbouring Nigeria, and is moved through a 264-km (164-mile) transmission line.

"We've been in touch with our counterparts in Nigeria and have verified that the problem is not on their side," Noma Kaka said. "I'd bet on a technical problem somewhere on the line."

Bakeries, cybercafes, laundromats and other businesses in Niamey have closed down since Sunday, while retailers have made losses on stocks of milk and fish.

"We can't continue like this punishing people," said Maman Abou, who runs a printing shop.

The government said it has been able to continue minimal power supplies to hospitals and other essential services using local generators.