It’s been more than one month since the people on Ndongo in Buea have been in darkness without electricity.
Most businesses that operate in the area that depend on electricity have shuttered. Many have complained of incurring losses. That is because those who sell things like fish, meat, and tomatoes, among other perishables, have seen them get bad.
Since November, when the locals in Ndongo experienced a blackout, the Energy of Cameroon (ENEO) has not resolved the problem. There is information that the transformer supplying the neighbourhood got bad. However, ENEO has not issued any statement to explain what is happening.
The ongoing blackout in Ndongo comes at a time when many are bracing up for festivities. This is the time for brisk business; MMI heard some complaints. Meanwhile, they can’t sell some products or extend to nighttime owing to a lack of electricity.
Daily suffering of the Ndongo people is increasing.
Each day, people living in Ndongo since November have to go to another part of Buea to charge their electronic gadgets.
Aside from that, those who rely on electricity for water have to trek long distances. They queue in faraway neighbourhoods just to have water. Some have resorted to fetching water from dirty streams.
Some have relocated to other parts while waiting for when ENEO will come to fix the lights in Ndongo. Households can no longer watch television or even have lights for security. To them, it is risky to move at night in Ndongo.
Those who have purchased the Christmas trees can’t light them because they don’t have electricity.
Ndong’s Ambience Dead
Ndongo is a locality located some meters away from Checkpoint and Biaka University. It has always witnessed an electricity blackout.
But the one this time around has gone on for way too long. Located across the river, Ndongo is always full of life. It has a small market where a lot of ambience used to take place.
Since it was cut off from electricity, that ambience has died down. That is because the bars and restaurants can no longer operate at night. Barbing and wildering businesses have shut down.
In the night now, the area that once characterised music among other festivities is silent. Only the wealthy class can afford a generator.
Across Checkpoint and Biaka University, it is common now that people from Ndongo gather to charge phones.
As Christmas and New Year approach, Ndongo inhabitants have expressed fears of celebrating in darkness. They have been paying their electricity bills. But as of now, they don’t know when the electricity will be restored.
