Huye: Residents concerned over risky low-hanging power lines

By The Inspirer.

In Rukira Cell, Huye Sector, some areas have low-hanging power lines and others are dangerously close to the ground, making it easy for children to touch them.

This has left residents worried that children might accidentally come into contact with the wires, leading to fatal electrocution incidents.

It is reported that in most areas where this problem exists, electricity was initially installed through community efforts, with residents pooling resources to purchase poles and cables. Later, other neighbors connected to the system.

When these neighbors joined, those who had initially financed the electricity requested contributions from the new users. However, they were told that electricity was a public good, and any maintenance, such as replacing old poles, would be handled by the government.

Now, the poles installed by residents have aged and are falling apart, with some collapsing entirely. Without cooperation among the users, the fallen poles remain unattended.

François Nsigaye, a resident of Agakombe Village, explains: “We started with 30 people bringing electricity to the area. Over time, more people joined, but the infrastructure weakened, and the poles deteriorated. We hoped they would replace the old poles and increase power capacity. Right now, we can’t weld, listen to the radio, or access information.”

He adds: “The low-hanging wires also worry us. Children herding livestock often lift and move the wires out of the way. We live in constant fear of accidents.”

Power lines that have sagged onto the roads pose an additional risk, especially for trucks transporting tall loads.

“When a truck carrying sand or logs passes, the assistant has to lift the wires. If they’re careless, the wires can fall,” Nsigaye says.

Pascal Mugiraneza shares a similar concern: “Some trucks carrying sand or stones pass through here. Recently, one truck snapped a wire, and a nearby house almost caught fire. Luckily, people noticed smoke and removed the wire in time. These wires are an accident waiting to happen.”

“We’ve had this issue for years. We reported it to the authorities, and they assured us it would be fixed, but months and years have passed with no action. We’ve lost hope.” He adds.

In Agakombe Village, some households have been forced to stop using their prepaid electricity meters (cash power) because poles fell and disrupted the connections. In other cases, power outages lasting up to two weeks occur, only for the electricity to return briefly and go out again.

The residents have repeatedly appealed to the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) for help. They were told to “wait a little longer,” but the issue remains unresolved.

Omar Kayibanda, the REG manager in Huye District, says they are close to addressing the problem, as they have received new poles for replacement.

In a text message, he said: “We have started working on the issue and are making good progress.”

However, Kigali Today has been informed several times over a long period that the problem is being addressed, yet no lasting solution has been implemented.

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