Gabon engineers finally speak out on water and power crisis

Libreville, Tuesday 30 June 2026 – For years, the debate around Gabon’s water and electricity crisis has revolved around its effects: endless outages, water shortages, load shedding, public anger. Yet a far more essential question has rarely been asked: have the people who truly understand the networks, installations and technical constraints been listened to?

The meeting held this week between President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and SEEG workers at the Jean Violas Training Centre in Owendo could mark a turning point in how this national crisis is understood. For nearly three hours, the head of state listened directly to those who have been dealing with the ground realities for years.

The message from the workers was unmistakable. Beyond ageing infrastructure, one of the deepest problems at SEEG lies in the gradual sidelining of technical expertise from decision-making processes.

Technicians take centre stage in diagnosis

One agent noted that professional viewpoints are often disregarded and technical reports end up filed away without being acted upon. His account summed up what many workers have been saying for a long time. Technicians observe failures, identify risks, propose solutions – but their recommendations are not always considered in strategic trade-offs.

Behind this criticism lies a pattern seen in many public companies worldwide. When decisions move away from operational realities, problems stack up until they become structural.

Other workers echoed the same view. Electricians, electromechanics, network engineers, water specialists and maintenance staff described a system where technical expertise does not always hold its proper place in the decision chain.

The parallel with certain large international companies is striking. The crises faced by Boeing – often cited by industrial management specialists – showed what happens when administrative or financial imperatives gradually override technical requirements. Conversely, groups like Mercedes have long built their success on the decisive influence of engineers in strategic choices.

Water: a design challenge as much as a production one

The discussions also shed light on several realities unknown to the general public.

Regarding water supply, workers explained that difficulties are not solely due to cuts or ageing installations. Pressure is a key factor. When available volumes fall, pressure drops mechanically, preventing water from reaching certain neighbourhoods or upper floors of buildings.

This situation worsens during the dry season. The resource currently drawn from the Ntoum river is naturally affected by low water levels, reducing both flow and volume.

This reality revives a strategic question. Why not use the current overhaul of the sector to consider a larger intake directly connected to the Kango river, whose volumes remain far more abundant and stable throughout the year?

Such an approach would obviously require substantial investment. But it precisely matches the logic of structural infrastructure needed to support a growing country’s demand.

Reform will only succeed with skills

The planned creation of Gabonaise des Eaux and Électricité du Gabon represents a historic opportunity. Rarely has the country had such a chance to completely rebuild two strategic companies.

But the success of this transformation will depend not only on funding or equipment. It will rely above all on the ability to put technical skills back at the heart of the system.

The direct exchange between the president and workers demonstrated one essential thing. Solutions often already exist within organisations themselves. They lie with the men and women who design, maintain and operate infrastructure daily.

The real lesson from this meeting may be that the future entities set to replace SEEG must lean more on their engineers, technicians and specialists. In sectors as sensitive as water and electricity, the state can fund infrastructure. But only expertise, field awareness and competence can guarantee the sustainable delivery of public service. That is probably the most important lesson Gabon can draw today from its energy and water crisis.