Tiaret's Public Lighting Targeted by Vandalism Amidst Cable Theft Crisis

Tiaret is grappling with a persistent and costly problem: the rampant vandalism of its public lighting infrastructure. Following recent attacks on Algeria Télécom's fiber optic network, the city's streetlights have become the latest target for criminal elements. The scale of the damage is alarming, with frequent cable thefts and technical malfunctions plaguing the system, leaving many areas in darkness.

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Près de 300 plaintes sont déposées chaque année pour des vols de câbles électriques

Larbi Ouadahi, president of the Tiaret Communal People's Assembly (APC), revealed that nearly 300 complaints are filed annually for stolen electrical cables. This widespread theft justifies the persistent "zones of shadow" that mar the city, despite its more than 220 neighborhoods and sites. The financial burden is immense, with the APC spending between 2 to 3 billion centimes each year solely on repairs. These funds, which could otherwise be invested in crucial development projects, are being swallowed by the constant need to fix what is deliberately destroyed.

In a bid to address this crisis, the APC has decided to take a radical step: outsourcing the management of public lighting. A public tender will soon be launched to contract a specialized entity, with the hope of achieving better responsiveness and more rigorous maintenance. However, the issue is not solely about criminal activity. Ouadahi also points to the "passive citizen" who, by remaining silent in the face of blatant criminal acts, becomes an unwitting accomplice to the darkness that affects their own communities.

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Cela coûte à l’assemblée entre 2 à 3 milliards de centimes par an

While vandalism is a undeniable reality, the technical state of the network also warrants scrutiny. Many lines remain exposed, making them vulnerable not only to theft but also to weather-related damage and general wear and tear. The article suggests that citizens are often plunged into darkness not by saboteurs, but by chronic technical failures that municipal services struggle to anticipate. This situation mirrors recent issues faced by Algérie Télécom, where both electrical cables and fiber optic lines have been targeted, leading to citizen isolation and hindering rehabilitation efforts. As authorities aim to modernize networks by 2026, securing these essential infrastructures has become an urgent priority. Without effective protection and increased citizen vigilance, billions invested in these networks risk being cut off in trenches or melted down on the black market.

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