Jirama
Jirama ( Jiro sy rano malagasy) is a state-owned electric utility and water services company in Madagascar.
Société anonyme | |
Industry | Electric utility - Water supply |
Founded | 1975 |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Madagascar |
Key people | Desiré Rasidy (Chairman) |
Products | Electricity generation, transmission and distribution; Water supply |
Revenue | 274.88 billion Ariary(2007)[1] |
25 80 billion Ariary (2007) | |
Total equity | 17,53 billion Ariary |
Website | www.jirama.mg |
History
The Jirama was established on 17 October 1975 when the Société Malagasy des Eaux et Electricité and the Société des Energies de Madagascar merged. Up until 1999, it was the only state-owned electricity company of the country. After 1999, the Jirama maintained its monopoly on transportation and distribution networks.[2]
In 2007, when Antananrivo's Mayor Andry Rajoelina took office, the city's treasury had a debt of 8.2 billion Malagasy Ariary (approximately 4.6 million U.S. dollars).[3] On 4 January 2008, because of unpaid debts to the Jirama, the city of Antananarivo was hit by a general water cutoff and brownouts of the city's street lights. After an audit, it was found that the Jirama owed about the same amount of money to the city, and the sanction on the city's population was relieved.[4]
In 2008, thanks to the launch of a new thermal power plant in Mandroseza, the Jirama was able to service 2,000 additional consumers in Antananarivo.[5] In June 2009, Désiré Rasidy was named new CEO of the Jirama.[6] In 2012, thanks to the financing of the French Development Agency, the Jirama launched the fuel oil power plant constructed by British Broad Crown that aimed at ending power shortages for good in Mahajanga.[7]
According to an IMF report published in March 2018, the Jirama's financial difficulties are a major burden for the Malagasy economy.[8] In June 2018, the Jirama was considering a rehabilitation of its electricity distribution network.[9]
Activities
Headquartered in Antananarivo, the Jirama serves 340,000 clients for electricity in 114 localities and 65 water distribution centres. The Jirama is 100% owned by the government of Madagascar.[2]
References
- (in French) Jirama.mg - Finance
- "Historique". Jirama.mg (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- Randria, N. (22 December 2007). "Andry Rajoelina hérite de 41 milliards fmg de dettes". Madagascar Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- Randria, N. (7 January 2008). "La CUA et les coupures d'eau et d'électricité: Antananarivo est-elle sanctionnée?". Madagascar Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- "2 000 nouveaux branchements électriques à effectuer". Madagascar-tribune.com (in French). 7 June 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- "Jirama: the general direction given to Madagascan Désiré Rasidy". Madonline.com. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- Vero Andrianarisoa (29 May 2012). "Madagascar: Energie - Une centrale thermique pour Mahajanga". Allafrica.com (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- Nelly Fualdes (28 March 2018). "Madagascar : la Jirama, le fardeau des finances publiques ?". Jeuneafrique.com (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- "Madagascar: JIRAMA to rehabilitate its electricity distribution networks". Esi-africa.com. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.