Libya has endured a chaotic summer of persistent and lengthy power cuts and several blackouts resulting in violent demonstrations and barricades, petrol and diesel shortages creating potentially explosive queues outside petrol stations.
The power cuts have forced the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) into imposing load-shedding which has created anger in various areas and regions who have complained that this electricity distribution is tribally, regionally or politically aligned.
With this background, the Tripoli Prime, Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, who at times this summer looked as if he was going to be forced out of Office, has instructed GECOL to distribute load-shedding fairly across regions, excluding health facilities and oil sites.
He also instructed the company to designate phone numbers to receive reports and complaints from citizens regarding grid malfunctions.
LISCO ordered to stop production & connect its power generation to national grid
In the same context of supporting the stability of the electricity network, Minister of State for the Affairs of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, Mohamed bin Ghalboun issued a directives to the Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO) to immediately stop its production lines.
He also instructed LISCO to connect its power generation station to the public network, and to coordinate with the GECOL to settle energy consumption.
The government said these steps come within a package of government measures aimed at improving basic services, speeding up response to citizens’ reports, and ensuring the stability of the electrical network.