Energy Crisis in Mamfe: Who is to blame?

High tension power line - Mamfe through Bamenda
For many years, the population of Mamfe town in particular, and Manyu in general has been plagued by constant power disruptions due to inadequate electricity supply from the power company. The economy of Mamfe, and Manyu division continues to suffer from frequent power cuts, thus retarding economic growth and social development. In many occasions, prolonged shut-offs have lasted several weeks, bringing commerce to a total halt. The population is often left helpless and exasperated as electric households appliances falter, night time attacks and burglaries increase. Some businesses have managed to operate for a few hours a day with the help of generators but the high price of fuel makes it cost prohibitive to run these machines for a prolonged period. It is safe to say, the common man can barely understand why Manyu continues to suffer blackouts despite privitization.

Electric Meter - the bills keep coming: After privatization, AES/SONEL promised a grande scheme to ease access, and improve the quality of electricity service by increasing power production capacity in the country. If any improvements have been done by AES, it has not filtered to Manyu. The question therefore is where do we go from here? Is there an alternative plan? Maybe, just continue to wait for the management of AES/SONEL to someday remember - equal treatment of all its customers is paramount to success. It is true energy business is about technology, rehabilitating dams, developing power plants but it is also about operations and good customer relationship. For one thing, electricity is a utility that tends to spur economic development and where there is monopoly customers suffer.

Is Sun Power therefore the solution to Manyu’s energy crisis? We will discuss this topic in our next write up.