ACCRA GOES BLACK

Manet Court - Off Spintex Road, Accra



The entire city of Accra suffered its worst electrical outage of the year on Monday prompting many manufacturing outlets and retail stores to close down. Heavily affected were communities around Spintex Road where residents complained about damages to their appliances and electronic equipment due to the off-and-on surges. Some angry residents blamed the government for turning deaf ears against numerous complaints over this problem some dating back to eight years as roots of neglect and administrative incompetence.

Telescope happened to chat with John Akakpo, a homeowner at Manet Court residential complex off Spintex Road.
"It is bad that traffic here is the worst in the city .It is equally disgusting that each week we have to call the appliance repairman to fix our refrigerator because of this crazy unannounced power shut-offs five or six times a day. The sad part is the politicians dont care because most of them live around here and drive in darkness on surrounding dusty roads.They all talk big about progress and want foreigners to invest here but what businessman will tolerate loss of his expensive machines and so many down-times ? The next time I cast my vote I will remember this.I hope the President realises that the people's patience is worn off over this. We have many so-called PhDs and Electrical Engineers around Why have we been having this problem for such along time ? If the management is incompetent why should all of us suffer instead of changing them ? Something must be wrong somewhere"

At East Legon residents cared more about security than effects of the outages on their appliances. "Robbers usually operate in darkness and these outages offer them golden opportunities to invade our homes. We have had enough of this. I heard the President talk about going after armed robbers which is good but he must also target token areas that give them haven. To me the government's inability to deal with these power failures makes them accessories of crimes committed in darkness. I had my dog chase them away twice this week. I just dont know what to do anymore. The criminals seem to wait for such chances and they outnumber the police who are fighting hard to contain them." Gordon Blay blurted with resignation and disgust.
After nervously waiting, confused as to where or whom to complain power was partially restored in some sections of the city at 10 pm probably awaiting to go off again the next day - a reocurrence too familiar to residents of the city.