Bamenda: the city of abandoned projects!

The city Mayor of Bamenda, Paul Achombong Temban has confirmed that road construction works in the town have stopped. He made the confirmation recently to press men in Bamenda.

Prior to the start of the construction works, the population suffered huge damages resulting from breaking of properties along the major streets. The population whose structures were destroyed are now calling for work to resume.

“Some few months back, we saw all kind of machines on this road, they were destroying. Some of us were angry when they started it. But when we discovered that the town was open, the roads are big, we were expecting so many things that will come after the road. Please let anything that has to be done be done faster so that some of us can meet up with our livelihoods” a Bamenda city dweller cried out.

The contract details that resulted to the suspension of work dates back to 2018 when the initial contract execution by the company, SogerSatom, indicated that about 215 locals were to be compensated.

However, the Bamenda City Mayor Paul Achombong says the expansion of the road is heart of the current suspension of work and stumbling block.

“I got words from the minister of Public Works that the work will resume as soon as the extra 15 metres we are asking for is resolved. We are now looking forward to an assessment of those whose house fall within the extra dimension so that the SDO can evaluate the properties”, Paul Achombong said.

The population, especially those whose structures were destroyed and those who have business places around the roadside are now pleading for works to resume.

“We actually expect the road because we need development. There’s no development without road. We beg whosoever destroyed this road to come and continue his work”, another Bamenda city dweller told MMI Infos.

Bamenda has suffered a huge share of marginalization especially when it comes to roads. Roads within the city are shadows of themselves.

Driving within the city of Bamenda is a nightmare. Potholes as deep as 45cm. Because of this situation, car owners now visit the mechanic every now and then.

With the road construction now on a standstill, the population of Bamenda will have to wait for a very long time before enjoying the luxury of good roads.

By Timfuchi Aaron