Cameroon is currently facing a crisis due to frequent electricity seizures, posing a grave threat to the well-being of its citizens. Over the past two weeks, ENEO’s widespread power outages have severely impacted various sectors, particularly the healthcare industry.
Medical facilities across the country have been hit hard by these outages. The Bipindi Integrated Health Center, situated in the South Region of Cameroon, is one such facility affected by this dire situation.
Speaking with Equinoxe TV, the head of the Bipindi Integrated Health Center, Oyongo Bekolo Serge, shed light on the challenges the facility is grappling with. He described the predicament, stating, “Due to the erratic electricity supply, we often rely on flashlight apps on our mobile phones. We do have a backup generator, but its operation depends on the availability of funds. If we don’t have the funds, we resort to using torchlights.”
Oyongo Bekolo emphasized that the unreliable energy supply, coupled with inadequate equipment, has deterred many patients from seeking care at the health center.
Adverse Impact on Multiple Sectors
Apart from the healthcare sector, ENEO’s power outages have dealt a severe blow to other domains within the country. This includes the economic sector, which encompasses businesses reliant on electricity, such as cold storage facilities, and various activities that depend on a steady power supply.
Additionally, the daily lives of countless Cameroonians, who rely on digital devices for their daily activities, have been disrupted due to difficulties in charging their phones and gadgets.
ENEO’s Response
In a recent official communication, Cameroon’s electricity supply company ENEO attributed the recurring power seizures to the “complete shutdown of two major facilities in the country’s electricity network as of October 31, 2023: the Dibamba oil-fired power station and the Kribi gas-fired power station.”
The communique further explained, “In response to the decline in energy generation, Eneo has initiated rationing of electricity in certain towns and cities across the Centre, South, Littoral, West, North-West, and South-West Regions. These rotations are expected to last an average of six hours, though the duration may vary based on the evolving situation.” This statement was released on November 2, with no specific end date mentioned.
Cameroonians remain hopeful that a resolution to this issue is swiftly reached, allowing them to resume their daily activities without the hindrance of persistent power outages.
