Many neighborhoods in the bustling university town of Buea are grappling with electricity blackouts that have left students, businesses, and residents in disarray.
In Molyko, the city’s commercial hub and student residential area, neighborhoods like Dirty-South have been without electricity for months.
Located just around the University of Buea, Dirty-South is one of the largest student residential areas in Molyko.
Areas along UB Junction have been without electricity as well.
Meanwhile, Ndongo, a popular neighborhood in the city, and Mile 16 Bolifamba, have spent months in darkness.
Areas like Muea only regained electricity supply last Sunday, December 15, after nearly nine months in blackout.
The persistent power outages have caused widespread frustration, affecting daily life, education, and economic activities.
At Dirty South, the electricity crisis is exacerbated by a single functioning transformer struggling to serve the entire area.
Students preparing for their end-of-year examinations are particularly affected, as the lack of electricity hampers their ability to study.
Many are forced to travel to other quarters in search of places to charge their phones or find adequate lighting.
This exposes them to dangers such as theft and other security risks.
“It’s a nightmare,” says Emmanuel Ndip, a University of Buea student.
“We can’t study properly, and moving to other neighborhoods at night just to charge our phones is risky. I’ve personally been robbed once during these trips.”
Business owners in Molyko are also feeling the pinch.
Restaurants, salons, and small shops that depend on electricity are facing declining revenues.
“I’ve lost several customers because I can’t keep my freezer running,” laments Grace Enanga, who runs a small eatery in Dirty-South.
“This power outage is killing our businesses, and we don’t see any solutions coming.”
Residents Appeal to Local Authorities
Residents of Dirty-South and the UB Junction area are directing their frustration at local authorities.
They are calling on the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange, and the Parliamentarian for Buea Urban, Hon. Malomba Esembe, to intervene urgently.
“Our leaders need to act now,” urges a community elder, Mr. Andrew Ekane.
“We have been patient, but this prolonged blackout is unacceptable. The government must prioritize resolving this issue before it spirals further out of control.”
The community’s concerns are not limited to students and business owners.
Families are also suffering from the lack of electricity, which disrupts their daily routines and compromises their safety.
Despite repeated complaints to the electricity service provider, authorities have taken no concrete measures to resolve the issue.
Residents fear the situation could worsen as the festive season approaches, bringing increased demand for electricity.
The people of Molyko-Buea are united in their appeal for immediate action.
They believe that consistent access to electricity is vital not only for education but also for economic growth and overall community well-being.
