Douala residents grapple with uncollected refuse

Along most streets in the city of Douala is found a refuse dump. This is new and appealing to anyone who knew Douala some few weeks before. However, most residents in neighbourhoods like Deido, Bonaberi, New Bell, Ngangue, New Deido, and Ndogpassi, who have no better place to dump waste now empty it on streets.

Not only street corners have been turned into pollution sources thereby leaving little or no space for pedestrians to commute, compounds of some homes have also become saturated with litter and kitchen waste.

Gutters have borne the brunt of it all. If they are not cleaned up early, a major flood is feared in the economic capital with the return of heavy rains in the weeks ahead.

As the situation becomes more serious, many are tempted to question the effectiveness of the Cameroon Hygiene and Sanitation Company, HYSACAM.

A management staff with HYSACAM, who spoke to Cameroon Tribune on condition of remaining anonymous, explained that while the company continues to enjoy fruitful partnership with the Douala City Council, waste produced each day has increased over the years as the population has grown.

Furthermore, garbage collectors do not reach some neighbourhoods due to access problems. "We have made arrangements for more refuse collection trucks by the end of this year," the official disclosed.