Kumba: DO says protest against persistent blackout, “barbaric”

The Divisional Officer for Kumba I, Ali Anougu, has described as “barbaric” a recent protest staged against persistent blackout in one of the neighbourhoods in the area.

Last Thursday June 9, some women from the Bonakama neighbourhood in Kumba took to the streets in protest over the persistent power outages they have suffered for weeks.
Following the intervention of the civil administrator, he described the decision of the women to go to the street as “barbaric”.

According to him, the women ought to have penned down their grievances to the authorities.

“So I call on all the population of Kumba I Subdivision, never to do such things. We are here for you. If you have a problem, match to my office,” the Kumba I DO told the women.

However, he reassured the protester of speedy actions including the imminent arrival of a transformer which had broken down weeks before.

The arrival of the transformer was reportedly delayed following the recent burning of two other transformers by suspected Amba fighters.

Meanwhile, the women had decried the absence of electricity at a time when their children are in dire need to enable them better prepare ahead of GCE examinations.

Carrying peace plants and placards, the women had marched through some major streets in Kumba I subdivision to express their grievances.

“We need to have electricity and GCE has started. Our children have to write the exams, so we don’t see how we can continue in darkness. That is why all the women came out to say ‘we need a new transformer,’” a protester said.

By Amina Hilda.