Outages nearly over, Sharjah officials say

SHARJAH // Authorities yesterday insisted they have nearly corrected the problems at a power plant that has caused thousands of households and businesses to go without electricity for long stretches. The equipment broke down three weeks ago and resulting blackouts have been blamed on high demand for electricity during the hottest part of summer. In the latest in a series of blackouts, households in Sharjah's industrial areas six, 11 and 13 had been without power since Sunday evening. In Industrial Area 1, Al Qassimia and Yarmouk, the power went off early yesterday morning.

"We want them to tell us what is wrong, when it can get fixed," said Ali Mohammed Jabri, owner of a parts shop in Industrial Area 1. A spokesman for the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) told reporters at the agency's offices in Al Khan that the problem was close to being resolved. Engineers had been working on the problem around the clock, he said. "We appeal to residents to be calm," he said. "We are also deeply concerned about the families, and this is why our engineers are working hard to fix the problem. If the problem continues, it will only be for two days in a few areas."