Power Cut Protests

On the 20th August a demonstration was held on the only motor-way linking Abkhazia to the village of Rukhi in the Zugdidi region. It was arranged by villagers expressing their anger at having no electricity. As one of the participants said though there is a danger of epidemic outbreaks when it is too hot, as they have neither water nor electricity; despite the population having paid their bills for electricity used. They say that the money they gathered was handed to Beso Todua, a councilor of the village. The Power Distribution Company cut their electricity last week for not having paid. The population suspects that the money has not reached its destination.

There is one other problem between the population and the Power Company. In 2005, nearly 900 transformers were communal - installed individual meters make up just 10%. The population used the old meters, according to which they paid their bills. The amount shown on the meters was quite different from those shown on individual meters. Thus they have to pay much more than their meters show.

A similar situation exists in other villages too: Ingiri, Oireme, Kakhati, Darcheli. The participants in the protest blocked the central motor-way for several minutes, delaying the movement of UN and Russian Peacekeepers’ vehicles. Zugdidi Main Police Department officials of the Interior Ministry arrived at the scene of the incident and dispersed the participants. On the 21st August, law enforcers detained two participants: Enver Pertaia and Merab Djikia. They are charged with social disorder and sentenced to 10-15 days detention. However, according to present legislation, the court can give bail to the accused and an administrative penalty.

The people living on Sakhokia and Cotne Dadiani streets in Khobi were forced out in the street as a result of having no electricity. On the 20th August, nearly 30 people blocked the bridge over the river Khobi on the Zugdidi-Tbilisi central motor-way in protest. The participants say that they have not been distributed electricity since 24th July. Consequently they have problems with the water, making the situation extremely tense regarding the threat of an epidemic in the area.

As we found out Kakha Megrelishvili, head of Khobi Power Distribution Company, made the inhabitants sign an agreement about covering old debts amounting to 4,300GEL within eight months. Despite the fact that the population agreed to this deal, Megrelishvili is now making new demands – that refugees must now pay up their debts as well.

Every month, 8 laris are apportioned for each Abkhazian IDP from the budget in summer, and ten laris in winter. It is strange that the refugees must service their debts, whilst each family pays at least 40 GEL a month on average - more than the amount of the money they normally have to spend.

Nato Berulava, Zugdidi