Many residents of the Douala squatter settlement who applied for power earlier in 2015 are still without it.

Several residents of the ‘Bois des Singes’ neighbourhood in Douala II Subdivision have accused their Quarter Head of responsibility for the non-supply of power to their homes, months after they applied last year. Earlier in 2015, the corporation carried out an extensive subscription campaign in the squatter settlement during which families paid 25,000 FCFA each for an electricity metre, to be followed by power supply to their homes.

News of the imminent supply of electricity was met with a general rush for subscription, considering that it is the first time energy is to be brought into the area in over five years since people started living in the unauthorized area. Even though some homes were supplied energy shortly after, many are still languishing in darkness. Those who subscribed and are yet to have power fear that their money might have ended up in dubious hands.

“We have decided to hold the Quarter Head responsible because it is with him we were asked to subscribe. He has to take our complaints to the power company and bring feedback,” said Ife Nyeke, a resident. Lydia M., another resident, said since they subscribed in July 2015, neither a metre nor electricity has been connected to their homes. Sylvester Y., who lives in the area, said there has been no feedback from the company ever since. However, efforts by Cameroon Tribune to contact the Quarter Head were futile. Meanwhile, many homes continue to use bush lamps, generating sets or solar energy.