Sudan’s north still ‘in the dark’ despite electricity contracts

Residents of 17 local communities in Delgo locality in Sudan’s Northern State complain of a delay in the delivery of electricity services, the granting of financial rights from the state government and the communities according to the agreement with the contracted supplier.

Nubian activist Ashraf Abdelwedoud told Radio Dabanga that the work has not yet started in a number of communities while the work of the other communities has stopped after the installation of columns and wires without giving any reasons.

He pointed to the commitment of the federal government to pay 40 per cent of the cost of delivery of hydro-electricity from the Merowe dam to the communities.

He pointed out that the collection of the amount is responsibility of the company according to the contract between the communities and the supplier.

He that last week, a meeting was held at the El Mahas club in Khartoum between representatives of the communities and lawyers from the area in order to take necessary action against the company contracted.

Rallies

In March, people from the Northern state carried out protests to demand the delivery of hydroelectricity to villages in Dalgo locality and an investigation into the funds committee.

Nubians and their supporters held the protest in front of the Council of Ministers in the Sudanese capital, which coincided with a protest in front of the governor's office in Northern state. They demanded the construction of supply lines of electricity to 35 villages in Dalgo locality, an investigation into the funds of the electricity suppliers, and the review of the concerned electricity committees.

A similar rally was carried out in front of the governor's office in Dongola where he was handed a similar memorandum, after which the governor reportedly met with local sheikhs and directed the Finance Minister to pay the share of the state in the electricity supply contract, which is about 40 percent.

The governor also promised to open an investigation into the funds and the work of the committees, according to the demands of our people, along with the fund review.

In 2012, the 'Fathi Khalil committee' was formed to oversee private funding to the extension of power supply to the area. “But that committee has spent the funds raised for an other purpose,” an activist told Radio Dabanga at the time.