43-year-old Kumba Reunification Train Station Awaits Renovation

It is a Re-unification edifice that has been facing diminishing returns over the years.

Inaugurated in April 1969 by former President Ahidjo as a legacy for Re-unification between East and West Cameroons, the Kumba train station has in recent years been facing diminishing returns in all aspects due to obsolete equipment and the impact of the tarring of the Buea-Kumba road. The train station which was created for socio-economic purposes that is to transport people from Kumba, Mbanga and Douala, served its purpose in the early years and currently is in dire need of renovation.

According to the Kumba Train Station Manager, Bille Roger, the transportation by train was at its optimum level before the construction and tarring of the Kumba - Mutengene - Douala road. Since transportation is now hitch-free and fluid on this road, he said, activities at the

Kumba train station has witnessed a nosedive.

Infrastructure

As of now, the train station has one train with four carriages; one for cargo, two for passengers and one for the engine. The Manager said one carriage was officially designated for 68 passengers but because of the growing population, the train has to transport more than its capacity. It goes to Mbanga four times a day, 7:30 am, 10.30, 1.40 and 4.40 pm and has manpower of 10 workers. Mr. Bille Roger disclosed that the train station makes a turn-over of FCFA 45 million a year for passengers and FCFA 6.9 million for cargo. He noted that the train has two stations or stops from Kumba. That is Ediki and Mbanga. For transport fare, Kumba to Ediki costs FCFA 300 while Kumba to Mbanga is FCFA 500 and Kumba to Douala FCFA 1000. The train goes to Douala only on Saturdays. It takes one hour from Kumba to Mbanga.

Challenges

On problems, the Station Manager said the rails for the past 30 years are very old and need to be replaced. There is also need to change the old train and bring in a new one to avoid breakdowns and inconveniences. Getting more trains would undoubtedly boost the activities of the station. Moreover, some passengers enter without paying tickets. Passengers alight from taxis and motor bikes and jump directly into the train, he said. The former road that enters the train station from the front has been abandoned. This is the reason why the train station is suffering from all these problems, he added. Insecurity has brought a lot of stealing. But the rapid intervention police have been making patrols; and this has to a certain extent reduced the rate of banditry in the train station. Currently, the train station is being guarded by police and the African Security.

The Mayor of the Kumba III Council, Ndeme Samuel said the train station greatly impacts the municipality. The train helps in transporting people from Kumba to Mbanga and Douala. It also helps farmers and business persons around the municipality. With the announced rehabilitation of the station, the people of the locality are beaming with enthusiasm to embrace the modernity that will come with it.