By Njoh Linda
The deteriorating condition of the Bamenda Congress Hall is drawing renewed criticism over what critics describe as years of neglect of public infrastructure under the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
The once-important public venue is currently in a visibly poor state, with its water system nonfunctional, toilets out of use and sections of the building showing signs of serious deterioration. The sound and lighting systems have also been damaged and left unrepaired.
The Congress Hall has not undergone a major renovation in approximately 20 years, despite continuing to serve as a venue for CPDM activities and other public gatherings in Bamenda.
The state of the facility has become particularly striking because of its political significance. In October 2025, young people, many of whom are largely unemployed, contributed and handed 7 million francs CFA during a political mobilisation at the hall in support of President Paul Biya’s mandate extension.
Critics say the contrast between the political mobilisation held at the venue and the condition of the facility reflects what they describe as misplaced priorities after 43 years of CPDM rule.
They argue that a building regularly used for ruling-party events should not be left with broken infrastructure, unusable toilets and damaged technical equipment.
Beyond the political symbolism, the deterioration of the Congress Hall raises concerns about the management and maintenance of public facilities in Bamenda, where residents continue to face challenges linked to infrastructure and public services.
The walls of parts of the facility are dilapidated, while the failure to restore the water and sanitation systems has further reduced the hall’s functionality. The damaged sound and lighting equipment also limits its capacity to host events effectively.
For critics, the Congress Hall has become a physical representation of what they consider a wider failure to maintain public infrastructure and respond to citizens’ needs.
The condition of the Congress Hall leaves a broader question for authorities: how can a venue important enough to host political mobilisation be allowed to deteriorate for more than a decade without meaningful rehabilitation?