Yaoundé City Mayor Luc Messi Atangana inaugurated five “ultramodern” public toilet blocks on Friday, April 11. The city council hails it as a bold step towards improved sanitation. The project installs toilets at high-traffic spots, including Mokolo Market, in front of the Cathedral, Pharmacie du Soleil, and Palais des Sports. It promotes eco-friendliness, accessibility, cleanliness, and security.
Yet critics question whether the initiative goes far enough to tackle the persistent sanitation challenges that have long plagued the capital. “It is a move to keep the city clean from human shit,” the original announcement boldly declared. However, residents argue that such language oversimplifies the complexity of Yaoundé’s sanitation crisis.
Critical Infrastructure or a Public Relations Stunt?
The city’s “ultramodern” toilets are only in the initial phase of implementation, and Mayor Atangana has not clarified crucial details such as user charges or long-term maintenance plans. “The mayor has not explained how much it will cost to use the toilet or how it will ensure that sanity is kept in the infrastructure,” critics noted. Questions linger about whether the new facilities are more than a cosmetic fix.
Local civil society groups have expressed doubts about the project’s sustainability. “Public toilets alone cannot solve the deeper issues of urban hygiene and public health,” one community leader remarked. The project, realized in partnership with CROSS SARL, a real estate company, comes on the heels of widespread public outcry over the city’s garbage and foul odors emanating from accumulated waste.
A Mixed Reception
The inauguration ceremony itself featured traditional dance groups, adding color to a politically charged event. Yet behind the festive exterior, some observers remain skeptical. “This construction of toilets is another step to keep the political capital clean, but it raises the question: clean for whom?” asked a local journalist. Yaoundé faces unresolved issues, including insufficient waste management and chronic overcrowding in impoverished neighbourhoods. Observers closely watch the project to see if it will drive broader municipal reform.
The mayor actively installs public facilities to enhance public decency and urban aesthetics, especially for vulnerable groups like homeless citizens. A city council official stated that the goal is to provide “decent sanitation infrastructure” to enhance overall urban living conditions.
The initiative shows the municipal authorities’ effort to tackle an urgent need, yet many Gabonese doubt that the problem is being addressed at its root. As one resident put it in a direct call for accountability, “We need more than just new toilets; we need a comprehensive plan for sustainable urban hygiene.”
With more areas expected to benefit from the project in later phases, only time will tell if Mayor Atangana’s promise of a cleaner, safer Yaoundé will hold up to the city’s longstanding challenges. Critics insist that without transparency on costs and maintenance, the benefits may be fleeting—a temporary solution to a deep-rooted problem.
