In 2012, during a 24-hour visit to the flood-stricken Far North Region of Cameroon, President Paul Biya made a significant promise to the local population. On September 20th of that year, he announced an ambitious plan to build a 330-kilometre dyke road from Gobo to Kousseri, intended to protect the region from recurring floods that have devastated the area for decades.
In addition to this infrastructure project, Biya pledged 1.5 billion CFA francs as part of an emergency aid package for flood victims. He expressed his commitment to both immediate and long-term measures, aimed at alleviating the suffering of communities in the region. Key among these measures was the rehabilitation of the Maga and Lagdo dams, which play a crucial role in controlling floodwaters.
“… I also prescribed short and medium term measures, including in particular the construction of a 330 km road dyke, going from Gobo to Kousseri. I also ordered the repair of the Maga and Lagdo dams,” Biya told the flood victims during his speech in Guirvidig, Far North Region.
A Decade of Inaction
Yet, over a decade later, the promise remains unrealized. The construction of the Gobo-Kousseri dyke road has stalled, with no significant progress made despite the president’s assurances. The lack of action has been attributed to insufficient funding and the government’s failure to prioritize the project. Media reports and local sources confirm that the 330-kilometer dyke road remains untouched, leaving the flood-prone region vulnerable.
Over 63 people have died as a result of the numerous floods that have hit the Far North Region since 2012, which have also impacted more than 700,000 residents. Opposition politician Edith Kah Walla has been vocal about the devastating impact these floods have had on the communities along the Logone River and other high-risk areas. Thousands have been repeatedly displaced, with homes, crops, and livestock destroyed by floodwaters.
While some progress has been made in rehabilitating flood control infrastructure, the Gobo-Kousseri dyke road project remains a glaring omission. A World Bank report on flood management in Cameroon noted the successful rehabilitation of 70 kilometres of the Logone dyke and 27 kilometres of the Maga Dam between 2018 and 2019.
These efforts, financed by the International Development Association (IDA) to the tune of $108 million, have improved flood resilience in some areas. However, the Gobo-Kousseri road project, seen as vital for both flood protection and improved connectivity, remains incomplete.
Calls for Urgent Action
In a recent appearance on state television, Climate Policy Analyst Eugene Nfongwa stressed the urgency of building the dyke and strengthening it to protect vulnerable communities. “We need to build a dyke and strengthen it,” Nfongwa said, adding that Cameroon must rethink its approach to development planning to ensure the region’s long-term sustainability.
Similarly, Prof. Isaac Njilah, a catastrophologist, highlighted the dangers posed by the Lagdo Dam, which, if it were to break, could have catastrophic consequences for nearby Garoua. “If Lagdo were to break, Garoua would be 50 metres below water. This is why there is a need to put signals on the banks from Lagdo up to Nigeria so that as soon as it breaks, there can be an alarm,” Njilah warned.
An Uncertain Future
Despite these expert calls for action, President Biya’s government’s unwillingness to commit to achieving sustainable development of the country, has kept the project stalled. As the floods continue to ravage the region, the need for robust infrastructure is more pressing than ever.
Twelve years after President Biya’s promise, many in the Far North Region are left questioning whether the Gobo-Kousseri dyke road will ever be realized. As residents brace for more flooding, the government’s failure to deliver on its 2012 commitment has left them feeling both frustrated and abandoned.
Contributions from Bachirou Elhadj BDO and Daniel D
