In the bustling city of Bamenda, a local hero’s dedication to improving the roads has not gone unnoticed. For two decades, amidst the challenges of sickness and government scrutiny, Mr. Augustine Ngu has tirelessly worked to fill potholes with stones, creating smoother journeys for road users.
His journey began with a harrowing experience. “I felt like I was dead once I was sick and rushed to the hospital for treatment,” recalls Augustine.
“When I got better, I felt the pains of road users moving from one pothole to the other within the city of Bamenda.”
This experience sparked a passion within him to make a difference, using the means available to him.
Despite facing obstacles along the way, including an arrest by the then Government Delegate, Tazong Abel Ndeh, Augustine has remained convicted to his passion for community service.
Augustine’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In fact, he has received nine awards for his dedication to maintaining the roads of Bamenda, with the most recent being the Herald Tribune award.
“We discovered his activity was purely humanitarian and worthy of appreciation as a community mobilizer,” said Richard Ndeh, Publisher of The Herald Tribune Newspaper.
“I am simply passionate about doing the repairs. If you don’t see me again, know that I died,” said Augustine.
His commitment to the cause is evident, with reports of collecting funds to transport stones for road repairs.
However, the road to improvement has not been without its challenges. With the armed conflict displacing many supporters, Augustine relies on the goodwill of taxi drivers and bike riders, who often give him lifts when they spot him trekking.
Yet, amidst the praise and support, Augustine also faces criticism from some road users who accuse him of collecting money without doing the work.
“I face insults from some road users who accuse me of collecting money without any work done,” he said.
Despite these hurdles, Augustine remains undeterred.
“I have been doing these maintenances for over 2 decades,” said Augustine.
On a good day, he collects around FCFA 12,000 which he diligently uses to transport the stones to his work sites.
His hope is that his efforts will inspire the authorities to take action and maintain the roads for the benefit of all road users.
Bad roads and poor maintenance have been a problem in Cameroon, with many city and rural roads in sorry states.
Although there are many people across the country who volunteer to patch broken sections of roads, Augustine’s dedication to the job stands out.
For anyone wishing to support this local hero’s cause, providing a vehicle to assist with fetching stones would greatly aid in his mission to make smoother the roads in Bamenda.
As the city continues to navigate its traffic challenges, Augustine Ngu remains a beacon of inspiration, dedicating his life to the improvement of the roads that connect the community.
