Bamenda taps run dry

Army Rescue Units, Camerounaise des Eaux, CAMWATER have descended on the streets with palliative measures, rationing water.

The acute shortage of water is the major challenge staring inhabitants of metropolitan Bamenda on the face for about two months. To blame is a technical fault at the Mbatu water catchment facility with the population at a loss why it is taking the management of the water distribution utility, Camerounaise des Eaux (CDE), too long to handle.

In effect, the population of Downtown Bamenda are suffering as most of them travel long distances to fetch water in faraway neighbourhoods like Up Station while others do not help matters with unclean water from wells. Most hit by the water crises and in critical need are Upper Bayelle, Upper Metta quarter, Abangoh, Njimafor, Mbinfibie, Mile 3, Nkwen, Ntamulung, Banja street, Sisia quarter, Ndamukong street, Ghana Street, New Layout- Nkwen.

It is against this backdrop that the SDO of Mezam division, Nguele Nguele Felix has developed palliative measures with a program that rations the supply of water in various quarters. The initiative that went operational on December 27, 2014, involves some 30 strategic points where water trucks have been planted with Camerounaise des Eaux, CAMWATER and the Army Rescue Unit, turning full circle to ensure regular supply and order in the conduct of the exercise.

Army Rescue Unit Commander, Capt. Afuh Hansel Tefu ensures superintendence as inhabitants file out from 10:00 am daily, except Sundays, with long queues at such strategic points that cover the Subdivisions of Bamenda I, II and III. The SDO stresses that the exercise is punctual and expected to end with the start of the rainy season.

The Regional Delegate of Water and Energy, Moki Ngando Emmanuel told Cameroon Tribune that the neighbourhood of Up Station, Bamenda is spared because it has a separate water treatment plant. According to him, the situation turned worse in Downtown, Bamenda when the dry season stepped in without sufficient water at the Ntanti dam that collects water for treatment and supply to the Mbatu catchment.

It is equally claimed that the CDE technical team did not help matters when they went cleaning the dam, at the wrong time, complicating matters when in the process, a technical fault occurred and by the time it was corrected, too much water had been lost. Moki Ngando Emmanuel says inhabitants have to patiently wait for the rainy season for the situation to improve.