Acute shortage of electricity disappoints Mon residents

Acute shortage of electricity disappoints Mon residents

IMNA
February 21, 2007

Despite the Ministry of Energy's promise that it would try hard to
provide smooth and efficient service to the people, residents in Mon
State are sorely disappointed for having to wait since last year to
receive proper electricity supply.

"Power supply is available when people sleep. It is not available when
people need it most," a resident in Mon State said. People in
Moulmein, Mon State, and Pego town, Pego Division get power supply a
few days a week.

But some quarters where power supply is connected to government
offices are lucky and get better electricity supply compared to other
people.

Sometimes, when power comes for a few hours the residents cook rice
but often it goes off before the rice is fully boiled. That is the
reason why rice is wasted many a time, said a Thanpyuzayart resident.

Given the rise in consumption of electricity by residents, when power
comes to their quarters it is for a short time. Most are deprived of
watching movies. Many of houses therefore have bought generators.

The Burmese military government has extended electricity supply to
model villages and put a banner on the entrance of the villages which
says: "Villages and townships must develop quickly".

Even Kawbein village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State gets regular
electricity. Some houses in Karoat-pi village, Thanpyuzayart Township
have increased consumption to about 15 units and some had not
increased even by one unit after the extension two months ago.

A Mudon resident said "Electricity consumption has gone up in every
household." They get the supply by rotation from one quarter to
another.

Residents into business do not rely on the government's electricity
supply and have bought generators made in China. It is available in
the market.

Some small business units are spending more money because they use
petrol and diesel to run the generators.

Most ordinary residents are subscribing to private electricity supply
companies, but it is expensive. That is why, some whose children are
not students, are not buying electricity from the private sector.

"Eat dinner before dusk because the candles are expensive. That's why
I eat dinner and sleep early" a Mudon resident said.
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