“The electricity is controlled by a board of seven members, led by Tun Hla Sein, who is the secretary of Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).”

The board members are collecting regular fees but only providing electricity one day per week, said the resident.

 “This is very bad for students who need to study at night. Now they have no choice but to rely on candles or oil.”

At its annual meeting the board said new power engines could generate enough electricity from 6 pm until 12 pm, every day of the week, according to a Maungdaw elder.

“The board has the sufficient budget to buy new power engines, but till now there is no sign they will do that,” he said.

A private company has the power generators but the board is not willing to buy them, according to the elder.

The private company also supplies electricity, charging 20,000kyats, which is expensive for poor people said a Maungdaw businessman.

“I have pay 20,000 kyat, for my shop, in order to run fans, lights, television and music tape recorder, all week,” he said.