The localities of Muea and Street 8, specifically New Road Garbonaise, in Buea have been without power for several weeks, with the persistent darkness exacerbating the growing insecurity in the region.
Authorities attribute the prolonged blackout to malfunctioning transformers. However, residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the delay in resolving the issue.
Emmaculate Nalowah, a resident of Muea, described the difficulties of living without electricity for months. “The issue of light in the Muea community is no longer news because no matter the number of transformers they claim to change, it’s rather preferable they ask for the inhabitants to pay light bills. With the level of insecurity, we still have to suffer from light outages. It is taken at will and brought back at will, most of the time for 1 to 3 months or maybe more. Because of the increase in population, transformers can’t carry the load.”
She further explained how the power outages have negatively impacted her business, making it impossible for her to bake without electricity. “Transformers can’t carry a large population. Talking about how it has affected my business, at times it’s risky working at night knowing that there’s no light. Since I wake up very early to prepare the items I use, and due to water scarcity, the population of Muea solely relies on forage. For them to use water, they also need light because we can’t fetch water without electricity,” she told MMI.
Another resident from New Road Garbonaise expressed similar concerns, questioning how businesses are expected to cope without electricity. “I have been waking up from my house and coming to the workplace with hopes that they will bring back light. I don’t have any other job I depend on. It’s really sad,” he told MMI.
One more inhabitant of Muea detailed the inconvenience caused by the power outage. “I have to leave my quarter to go charge my things in another quarter. My work depends 100% on electronics. It’s really been awful. It cuts from Police Muea right down to Lyongo. They say transformers have been blown off. We’ve not heard from anyone. People who sell ice creams and drinking spots have been forced to close down,” the resident told MMI.
The residents of these localities are hopeful that the authorities will address the issue before it further devastates their livelihoods.
