A turkish firm has cut power supplies to Guinea-Bissau’s capital over an unpaid bill of at least $15m (£12m), plunging the city into darkness.
It has severely disrupted daily life, with hospitals affected and radio stations off-air.
Economy Minister, Suleimane Seidi, acknowledged the arrears, saying most of the bill would be paid in 15 days.
Karpowership is one of the world’s biggest floating power plant operators, supplying several African states.
But it has taken a tough line over non-payment. Last month, it cut power to Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, over an unpaid bill of $40m.
The Turkish company has also signed a deal to supply power to South Africa, saying it will cover more than 5% of the country’s total electricity needs.
South Africa has been hit by a wave of power cuts with people going without electricity for up to 10 hours a day.
Power was cut in Bissau, a city with a population of more than 400,000, in the early hours of Tuesday and has not been restored, a resident told the BBC.
Some public hospitals are now using generators to carry out surgery, local journalist, Assana Sambu, told the BBC.
But they don’t have running water because there is not enough electricity, and hospital directors have appealed for power in order to cook food for their patients.
Another journalist, Alberto Dabo, said he was drinking water from a well because water supplies had been cut amid the sweltering heat which reaches 40C.
“Our houses are very hot. Most families stay outside till 4am before entering their houses to spend the rest of the night.
—BBC
