A preliminary investigation by the new administration of the Ministry of Energy and Mines indicated that high-level officials, including former head Andrea Arrobo, intentionally hid crucial information about the operation of the energy system, the Presidency said in a statement.
According to them, the blackouts “not only responded to environmental circumstances, but also to unprecedented acts of corruption and negligence” and they point out that the energy deficit in the month of April will be between 22 and 27 gigawatts per day.
The Government indicated that it filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office for the paralysis of public services against “22 saboteurs who sought to harm all Ecuadorians.”
In addition, the Executive confirmed that it will assume 50 percent of the value of households’ electricity bills for the month of April and announced the suspension of work days on Thursday and Friday, days on which maintenance will be carried out on the plants and blackouts will continue.
This morning, the president of the College of Electrical Engineers of Ecuador, Marco Acuña, stated that President Daniel Noboa was warned about the country’s energy situation and its consequences.
In statements to the national channel Ecuavisa, Acuña explained that they sent a letter to the president with suggestions about what he should do to avoid a new crisis, but they never received a response.
Noboa said the day before that there would be no more cuts of five hours, however, this Wednesday rationing persists with places of five hours or more without electricity.
The recent announcements take place with just four days left until the popular consultation and referendum on security, justice and employment, a process that the president defends, but is widely questioned by political and social organizations.
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