Electricity Dreams Fizzle Out in Kikwit: A Chronicle of Broken Promises in 2024
In the heart of Kikwit, hope hangs by a thread as the dream of consistent electricity supply fades away. The buzz around the launch of electricity generated by the Kakobola dam in 2024 had the town brimming with anticipation, only to be met with disappointment and darkness.
A Flash of Light, Then Darkness
Last August, experimental tests lit up homes in Gungu and Kikwit, turning nights into lively celebrations. But the joy was short-lived as power was soon cut off due to short circuits in Kikwit, where households relied on thermal energy from generators. The flicker of hope was quickly extinguished.
A Series of Setbacks
The construction management cell for the hydroelectric plants in Katende and Kakobola announced the availability of electricity, but distribution was halted due to insufficient consumption. By October, the situation took a turn for the worse. The Indian company and management agents packed up and left. The Indian side demanded payment before resuming work, while the agents claimed over 20 months of unpaid bills.
A Cry for Help
Local civil society in Kikwit, led by President Laurent Bwenia, is reeling from the broken promises. Bwenia expressed the frustration of many, urging the government to honor its commitments. He emphasized the need for action over words, recalling the unfulfilled pledges made by authorities and the dashed hopes of the community.
“I won’t say it’s a pipe dream, but it’s another missed opportunity. Hope was there, but it’s fading. When those working on it left, so did the promises. We’ve been given promises from the start. We laid the cables. Even when the Head of State arrived, he told us that soon, you’ll have constant electricity. And yet, it’s still a dream. Let there be no more promises in 2025. Let reality show us something different from what we’re experiencing now, let us have electricity,” lamented Bwenia.
Lingering Disappointment
During the experimental tests in August 2024, only 16 out of 68 cabins in Kikwit were powered. While the city has access to 6.5 megawatts of electricity, the demand during the trials did not even reach a single megawatt. In Idiofa, no tests were conducted, despite significant progress in physical work completion.
The rollercoaster of emotions and dashed hopes surrounding the electricity project in Kikwit serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in accessing basic services. As the town continues to grapple with unreliable power supply, the call for sustainable solutions grows louder. The story of Kikwit is a poignant narrative of perseverance amidst adversity, a tale of resilience in the face of broken promises.