Inhabitants of untarred Malingo have expressed satisfaction regarding the gradual completion of the inner-city tarred roads, that lead to their neighborhood, from Checkpoint.
In a one-on-one chat with some residents, the inner-city tarred roads will relieve the residents and passersby, especially with the coming of the dry season from excess dust and other unwanted outcomes associated with poor roads.
Even though the roads are now less accessible as a result of construction, another denizen said “We are facing difficulties using the road now, but I think we have to be patient, as the end will be better after the construction is done”.
According to a taxi driver, the original nature of the roads was a great threat to taxi and bike owners, with the numerous potholes. To him, the life span of a car or taxi depends on the nature of the road it plies.
From a general standpoint, many say a town like Buea should have many linking roads, to reduce the gradually increasing traffic. “There are many people now in Buea. People from Kumba, Bamenda, and other towns have fled to Buea, and the roads are seemingly lesser than the users”.
With regards to the fact that smoother roads may lead to more deadly accidents, the inhabitants, as well as road users, said they hope the necessary authorities will take measures like incorporating speed brakes on the road, to limit speed.
In the same light, most of them decry what they call “The Cameroonian Definition of Development”, which according to them, the road grading that is no doubt very wise might be abandoned after years, without maintenance and timely repairs. A scenario most of them say is not a good thought for sustainable development.