The Pader-Abim Community Multipurpose Electric Cooperative Society (PACMECS) board chairperson, Mr Simon Odoch Ojok has attributed the recent rampant power outage to the non-renewal of their license which is expiring at the end of this month, 31st June 2023.
However; Odoch said that power outage is not majorly on PACMECS’ lines, but with Umeme lines. He added that whenever there is fault on their lines, they will eventually be without power.
Pader and Agago districts are currently experiencing constant power outages of an estimated 20 times a day.
Odoch attributed further power outages to the laxity of workers because of the news of the company's exit at the end of this month.
According to Odoch, before they exit on the 1st of July 2023, the government should clear all their money they owe. However, he did not specify the amount of the money.
The government of Uganda has recently taken a step to merge all cooperatives to their line ministries following their research that the majority of these services given by these bodies are of poor quality, high costs, among others which affects the locals negatively.
PACMECS were denied license upon expiry of the current one on 31st June 2023 by the government.
However; Mr Christopher Komakech, the Aruu county legislature who was in a meeting attended by East Acholi MPs with Uganda Electricity Distribution Company stated that the non-renewal of the license will help on rampant power blackout and more distribution of power into the inner corridor of Pader.
In 2020, over 200 residents of Palabek Kal Sub County in Lamwo District closed down PACMECS’ offices following protests staged on accusation of unstable electricity in the area.
Pader-Abim Multipurpose Electric Cooperative Society Ltd is responsible for distributing electricity to Pader, Lamwo, Kitgum, Abim districts and parts of Omoro and Gulu districts.
PACMECS was started in 2008.
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