Anguish of Bamenda Dwellers Over Depreciating City

Bamenda in the North West Region is a bruised and dirty city. This is a bold statement and it should be taken seriously.

In particular, how dirty is Bamenda?

By Azore Opio

People often drop litter, and there are many reasons for this behaviour: They aren’t been bothered or are too lazy to find a trash can, they have no sense of pride in their community, lack of education and poor parenting of young people. Or, if an area is already dirty, why bother to look for a garbage can?

The Government Delegate to the City Bamenda City Council, Vincent Ndumu, thinks part of Bamenda’s dirt can be attributed to the attitude of the inhabitants of the city.

“Bamenda people are stubborn. They don’t obey laws. People think that solutions should always come from administration,” a livid Ndumu told The Green in his office recently.

He said they have tried to decongest the city by opening peripheral markets at Bali Park, Mile 8, and Bamendakwe, but “it is the behaviour of the population. The people think they can throw dirt anywhere.”

“Unfortunately, the City Council has only 150 street cleaners, eight vans and 40 six-cubic metres garbage cans,” the Government Delegate said.

He added, “The municipal police don’t have enough force. Even with police, 50 years after independence, should the police use force?”

The Delegate is nursing a lofty dream of developing the food market with 1000 sheds, escalators, ramps and lifts through a public-private partnership arrangement.

“Once it is approved, we will invite partners,” Ndumu said.

“We also have plans for a central bus station at Bamendakwe with modern facilities,” he said.