Douala ‘suffocated’ by traffic as Christmas fever heightens

Driving from one part of Douala to the other remains an uphill task, made worse by the festive period.

Ndunge Jean a city taxi driver says “I spend two hours from Bonapriso to Rond Point Deido with just three passengers under the scorching sun. The traffic is just unbearable and traffic police men seems to have given up”.

Private cars, trucks transporting goods from the sea port to other parts of the city and country, commercial and private motorcycles, taxis and even bicycles have flooded Douala with people hurrying to make last minute purchases ahead of the celebration of Christmas.

Some taxi drivers have blamed the ensuing traffic congestion on poor driving and the quest by everyone to get to his or her destination not minding respect of road safety measures.

To others, poor road networks in most quarters in Douala and haphazard parking of cars and motorcycles is partly responsible for the traffic.

Many have been compelled to trek to their destinations, to avoid the unnecessary traffic congestion.

Mbatho Ntan.