Cameroon’s energy nightmare can become a thing of the past if the ongoing pace of tackling the deficit continues. Barely a few weeks after Memve-ele in the South region, last Friday, 3 August 2012, Lom-Pangar took its turn. The laying of the foundation stones for the construction of two giant hydro-electric dams have thus been effected, giving more meaning to President Paul Biya’s inaugural address on 3 November 2011. In that speech at his swearing in ceremony, the President said, “Our projects are now on tract. The Lom-Pangar, Memve’ele and Mekin dams, and their corresponding power plants will become reality in the coming years”

As Cameroonians look forward to realising more infrastructural projects, especially in the domain of energy, our task is to see that these important infrastructure are well executed with respect of specificities and deadlines. Without this focus and follow up, it would be difficult, if not impossible to satisfy consumers’ in need of energy for domestic use and investment.

By the time Cameroonians converge on Lom-Pangar for inauguration, they shall have been assured of a reservoir with a capacity of 6 millions cubic metres to reinforce energy. The nightmares they have succumbed to for years, shall have started becoming effectively a thing of the past. But what next?

The Lom-Pangar dam is expected to increase the flow rate of the Sanaga River to more than 1000 m3s, while the Song Loulou and Edea dams come up with an additional 170 MW, thus contributing to the solution of a problem that has been disturbing in the urban, as well as the rural sectors.

Electricity, we are aware, is necessary for industrial production as well as for electronic communication and domestic livelihood. We need it, and must work for it.

But who doubts that without effective maintenance and efficient management there could be much suffering in the midst of abundance?

To pre-empt such a nightmare, it is expedient for the Cameroon Electricity Development Corporation, EDC to ensure that energy services like AS-Sonel or the Thermal Emergency Programme tackle with patriotic commitment the tasks of seeing that energy from hydro-electric dams or diesel-operating plants are effectively and efficiently managed to serve consumers at affordable rates. The concern for profit though important, can not be more crucial than the masses for which Government invests. Rural electrification, for example, should be given the importance deserved. This could however, be relegated to a wishful dream, if those concerned do not consider the needs of teachers and students, administrators and business men in the rural areas, as well as the challenges of technological development.

The deficit in energy supply can only become a thing of the past if after the acquisition of major energy infrastructure, we ensure that masses consume at affordable rates what is produced for them.