Consequences of prolonged blackout in Nkambe

There has been no electricity supply in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division in the North West region of Cameroon for over a month.

Inhabitants of the town are pointing accusing fingers at the military and separatist fighters.

According to an inhabitant who prefers not to be named for security reasons “we don’t have electricity because of the military. They took away four motorcycles belonging to workers of ENEO from Kumbo who travelled to Nkambe to repair the transformer. Since then, ENEO office in Kumbo Bui division has vowed that they will not repair damaged installations in Nkambe until the military provide their motorcycles.”

The military is equally accused of attempting to shoot workers of the electricity company.

To our informant, the divisional officer of Nkambe, the mayor and other local administrators are aware of what has caused prolonged blackout in Nkambe. Yet, they have opted to maintain sealed lips, given that the military is implicated.

To other inhabitants of Nkambe, separatists fighters destroyed the transformer and have threatened to attack families of workers of the electricity company if they dare to repair the damage.

In the midst of accusations and counteraccusations of who is responsible for no electricity in Nkambe for over a month, an inhabitant says “we are paying a heavy price. A bucket of corn we used to grind for 500 FCFA today is 1200 FCFA. Some businesses that depend entirely on electricity to survive have mainly shutdown,” a resident tells Mimi Mefo Info on phone.

Given that schools are effective in Nkambe town, students are forced to use candles and bush lamps to study. To some students, no electricity in Nkambe fuels insecurity in the town most especially at night.

Mbatho Ntan.