To revolutionalise development: EDC delivers Biya’s electricity supply promise to East Region.

Since January 2 this year, the people of the East Region have entered new epoch in their quest for development through the constant availability of electricity.

The supply of electricity from the foot plant of Lom Pangar Hydroelectric Power Plant to their homes is the reality of a promise which the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, made to his compatriots in that part of the country.

While addressing the nation on December 31, 2023, President Paul Biya had declared that: “The Lom Pangar Dam foot plant will also be operational in 2024. It will help to increase energy supply in the town of Bertoua and its environs”. 

True to this Presidential promise, Bertoua, the regional capital of the East Region and a number of surrounding localities are already enjoying electricity.

According to the General Manager of EDC, Dr Theodore Nsangou, the localities that are already experiencing the benefits of the power supply are; Bertoua, Minta, Belabo and Abong Mbang. 

He was clear that, the advancement recorded is in strict respect of Presidential instructions to ensure the population of the East Region particularly Bertoua, bids goodbye to disruptive and epileptic power supply.

In addition to the achievement, Dr Nsango disclosed that, the EDC remains committed still in line with Presidential directives to work with its partners to extend electricity to an additional 150 communities in the East Region. 

He disclosed that the electrification project will be done through the construction of 438 kilometer of High Tension, HT, cable lines and 206 kilometer of Low Tension, LT, lines. 

The goal, he said, is to electrify access to electricity for at least 10,000 homes. He thanked partners such as the state; the African Development Bank, AfDB, and the Development Bank of Central African States, BDEAC, for supporting the EDC to attain the current level of success. He also thanked his collaborators and other stakeholders for their role in realising the project.

First major gain for state

The putting into service of the foot plant, the EDC General Manager indicated, will see a reduction in cost of supplying light to some communities through gas – powered plants.

Citing the context of an increase in the price of petroleum products, Dr Nsangou said by halting the Central Thermal plant in Bertoua, government will divert scarce resources to realise major development projects.

Towards stable power supply in East Region 

The release of electricity from the foot plant of the Lom Pangar Hydroelectric Dam marks a major shift in the region’s move towards having stable power supply. 

The plethora of challenges that had before now been heralded as holding back the socio-economic development of the region, is a story already being forgotten. 

Many have begun readjusting their businesses and strengthening their operational capacities to fully benefit from the stable power supply especially in the main city of Bertoua.

The 30 megawatts capacity plant, EDC General Manager told reporters, will meet the 10 megawatts need of Bertoua. 

He added that: “Batouri is around two megawatts, to which we add the two megawatts for Abong-Mbang and the surrounding area. Total demand is therefore around 14 megawatts at base load, and can reach 18 megawatts at peak load”.

The overachiever EDC boss sounded positive about the future, indicating that: “When we look at future demand, we realise that in the next five years, this plant will reach full capacity and it will be sufficient to cover the entire region, both households and production units”.

He talked of fresh engagements being made to further bolster power supply in the East Region with funding from the World Bank. 

This, Dr Nsangou said, is in anticipation of the hike in development that will follow leading to high power consumption.

Commitment to fully respond to Biya’s instructions

On the zeal to ensure all homes in the East Region have electricity before 2024 runs out, Dr Nsangou said, it is a matter of following instructions from hierarchy without reserve.

“Our challenge is to respond fully to the request of the Head of State so that, before the end of the year, all the villages in the East Region are electrified…,” Dr Nsangou said.

Stakeholders hail major shifts in social life

Even as the echoes from what is happening across Bertoua and beyond is reverberating nationwide, there are already on-the-sport assessments of how life is improving.

Most of those who have shared their opinions with reporters have not also stopped thanking the Head of State and the implantation partner EDC a job well done.

Roselyn Noupa, journalist at Radio Bonne Nouvelle in Bertoua, said a lot has changed. 

Going by Noupa, before now, intermittent power cuts resulted in damaged equipment and disconnection with the audience. 

In addition to this, she said all programs of the media house could not be aired. But since constant electricity from the foot plant of the Lom Pangar Hydroelectric Dam was put to use, the media personality said, things have turned around for good. 

Noupa said the quality of programs aired on Radio Nouvelle Bertoua, has improved thanks to stable power supply. 

For Jean Marie Dimbele Sodea, City Mayor of Kribi, the constant availability of electricity is another reason to thank the Head of State. 

Biya, he said, has kept his promise and must be appreciated for striving to ensure equilibrium in developing Cameroon.

Sodea sounded positive that, with the fresh megawatts from the plant now lighting up Bertoua and beyond, there is hope for a fresh face of development. 

He said local stakeholders are open to accompany investors. The Municipal authorities urged investors to make use of the opportunity and advance national development.

Luc Emmanuel Apande, mayor of Belabo in the Lom and Djerem Division confirmed that, all the 54 villages that make up his municipality have been electrified.

The mayor said with the coming of electricity, the population will engage in profitable ventures. Belabo which has witnessed a slowdown in growth, the mayor remarked is already on a revival path.

A businessman, Nourou Dini Bouba, said, “we have noticed in recent days that there is constant electricity supply in Bertoua. Economic operators in the city of Bertoua are very happy”.

Bouba remarked that several things will change for good. He said the business community in Bertoua and beyond has fully bade goodbye to the days of blackout that reduced profit in business. He thanked President Biya for keeping to his promise.