Zopelig-Daborin residents urge government action on electricity connectivity

Residents of Zopelig-Daborin, a farming community in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, are calling on the government to fulfill its promise and connect the community to the national electricity grid.

The community members have actively participated in the process, assisting contractors in erecting electric poles, but despite their efforts, the community remains unconnected after more than three years.

Mr. Evans Kolbil Pelnaab, Vice Chairman of the Zopelig-Daborin Youth Association, expressed their disappointment, saying, “Electric poles without wires and electricity after more than three years cannot be something we are proud of, especially looking back at how we toiled on muddy terrain carrying electric poles on our bare heads and shoulders to support the contractor and the assurance we had.”

During the commissioning of a community bridge funded and constructed by the youth, Mr. Pelnaab highlighted the adverse effects of the lack of electricity.

He emphasized that the absence of electricity had deprived their children of the opportunity to study at night and had a detrimental impact on socio-economic activities in the area.

He called on the Member of Parliament, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, to assist the District Chief Executive, Madam Agnes Anamoo, in advocating for the connection of Zopelig-Daborin to the national grid. He expressed gratitude to the MP for his intentions and urged for swift implementation.

“To our MP, we thank you for your good intentions, but we need the deliverables now more than ever. We are still waiting for the actual implementation of your plans for our community after we sent a delegation to you before and just after you had won the 2016 election but never had any support,” Mr. Pelnaab said. “Please assist the DCE to get our community connected to the national grid.”

In addition to the electricity request, Mr. Pelnaab appealed to the MP to secure an additional borehole for the community, as many households currently travel long distances to access water.

The Chief of Pelungu Community, Naab Sierig Soore Sobil IV, who chaired the occasion, encouraged the youth to remain resolute, committed, and united in the pursuit of development.