The North West Region of Cameroon is facing a dire crisis, with several Divisions plunged into darkness due to a prolonged lack of electricity. The situation is particularly dire in Wum, Menchum Division, where residents have gone without electricity for six years, and in Ndu, Donga Mantung Division, where the blackout has lasted for over six years and counting.
Dighambong Anthony Mvo, Mayor of Wum Council.
The Mayor of Wum Council, Dighambong Anthony Mvo, described the situation as "a big concern" and pleaded with authorities to intervene. He revealed that despite efforts to resolve the issue, including meetings with the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, progress has been slow. The contractor, according to the Wum Mayor, tasked with restoring electricity in Menchum Division has faced numerous challenges, including alleged kidnappings of workers, which has further delayed the project.
He lamented that the lack of electricity has had a devastating impact on the local economy, with many businesses shutting down due to the unreliable power supply. He further explained that residents are forced to live in darkness, and emergency services are hindered by the lack of lighting. In one tragic incident, Mayor Anthony testified that his house was burnt to ashes partly due to the inability to access the area and quench the fire in time.
The Mayor of Ndu Council, Abdou Kanfon Borno, also expressed similar frustration with the situation, highlighting that ENEO, the electricity company, continues to send monthly bills to residents despite the prolonged blackout. He described this as "serious provocation" and pleaded with authorities to take action.
"We have not had electricity Ndu municipality and Donga Muntung Division in general for more than 6years and still counting. But the funniest thing is that ENEO keeps sending us monthly bills. At the end of each month they sent us bills by text message. Its like they are inciting the already disgruntled population. This is serious provocation your excellency. I am pleading that something should be done in that perspective", Mayor Abdou Kanfon decried.
On his part, the North West Regional Delegate of Water Resources and Energy, Akia Fonketi Emmanuel, corroborated that truly there has been electricity blackouts in Menchum, Bui and Donga Mantung Divisions in the North West Region. He confirmed that these Divisions have been like that for more than six years and still counting.
"I want to talk about Electricity in the region. We have three divisions at the moment that are not able to have power supply. We have Menchum Division, Bui Division and Donga Mantung Division", Akia Fonteki Emmanuel confirmed.
In addition to the electricity crisis, water scarcity is also a major concern in the region. He highlighted that the water source at Nkah, Upstation, is threatened due to a road project that interrupted the flow of water from Lake Awing. He also mentioned that a contract was awarded for the replacement of wooden poles with concrete poles in Bamenda town, but the progress is slow.
The plight of these communities highlights the need for urgent action to restore electricity and water services. The authorities must take concrete steps to address these challenges and provide relief to the affected populations.
The people of Wum, Menchum Division, and Ndu Council, Donga Mantung Division, deserve better living conditions, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that their basic needs are met.
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