Zebaldt Ngaruka
Continuous interruptions in Epukiro constituency’s electricity supply are causing distress to residents and institutions alike.
For years now, residents have been complaining about the perennial electricity blackouts, but their plight seems to continue falling on deaf ears, residents lamented.
The latest power cuts resulted from heavy rains measuring 45 millimetres, accompanied by strong winds.
The recent outage affected health institutions and schools in the constituency.
In an interview with New Era, the head nurse at Epukiro Post 3 clinic Agnes Supii Tjiramba said the power outage is affecting the clinic on a regular basis, adding that she has informed authorities about the issue on numerous occasions, but to no avail. “I requested a backup generator, and nothing has been responded. We are always suffering when there is no electricity,” she said.
The only mortuary in the settlement is most-affected by the frequent power outages.
This, she said, cannot be taken lightly.
Tjiramba added that some medication needs to be stored in cold storage, and one would hardly know how their efficacy will be if there is an electricity problem.
“It is high time the authority looked into this matter, as we are sometimes forced to use torches when there is no power,” she added.
At Okovimburu, Good Hope primary school superintendent Tekla Vazuva Swartz also shared their plight.
“When it is raining or when there’s wind, our electricity is always gone – even water. Luckily, this time around, our water was coming, and we did not suffer that much,” she told New Era recently.
The superintendent further recommended that power utility companies come up with amicable solutions to this problem, which is long-overdue.
“To be honest with you, our electrical appliances are damaged due to this power outages in Epukiro. Why can’t they have backup machines in reserves to be used once the power is gone?” Swartz wanted to know.
Also, the superintendent said when water and electricity are not there, it affects the learning process at school. “Even the communication networks are affected, and MTC must do something, as these problems have been experienced for many years in our settlement. We are even afraid of buying television sets, fearing it will get damaged like others,” Swartz said.
Furthermore, the heavy rain caused severe damage to the roads in the settlement, and the Oruvize-Okovimburu road was destroyed.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com