FCFA 8 Billion allocated to solve Bamenda water crisis

Government has made available the sum of FCFA 8 billion to put the water crisis in Bamenda town and environs to an end. The funds will also extend water to the University of Bamenda in Bambili, Tubah and Bambui.

Appreciating Government for signing a contract to resolve the water crisis, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council, Vincent Nji Ndumu told Grand Councillors during the Administrative Account Session of the Council that was held this week, that the project will start in the weeks ahead.

The acute shortage of water; the poor road network in Bamenda town had pre-occupied councilors ; but about the problems of numerous potholes in town, Ndumu revealed that, apart from the FCFA 40 million raised earlier, the Minister of Urban Development recently disbursed FCFA 150 million to solve the problems of potholes, and FCFA220 million for the construction of culverts and bridges.

“Our intention was to see the complete tarring of the stretch of road from Hospital Roundabout via SONAC streets, Mobile up to Foncha Junction and Mile Four, but out of the FCFA 4 billion we requested, Government finally gave FCFA 420 million (under programme Budget).

" This money, Ndumu, said can only be used to maintain below Foncha Street road right up to Rendezvous neighborhood . The said sum is from the Public Investment Ministry.

On road projects realised by Council and its partners, the Government Delegate Ndumu Nji, cited the K-Town road that links Ndamukong and Cow Street, and the Old Town road that stretches from Water Side to Old Town and Ayaba.

“Our intention is to tare at least 2km of roads in the inner city in each Subdivisional Council, Bamenda I, II and III taking their turns progressively.

On the issue of commercial motorbike riders refusing to comply with the Prime Ministerial decision putting order in that sector, the Government Delegate said the Council did all the studies and presented proposals as to how Government can go ahead to ensure that; the bikes are registered, re-located to the out-skirts of town, painted yellow, and that all riders wear jackets, and forwarded to Mezam SDO, but unfortunately nothing has been done.

In response, the Assistant SDO for Mezam, Pierre Dika Ndumbe insinuated; “Some of you, the Grand Councillors own these bikes, and we have very few Police or Gendarmes to reinforce this decision.

However, rest assured nothing is above the state, before the end of the year, order will be restored in this area."

SDO’s “Wings” clipped earlier, the Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, Ndumu Dika, who seems to pick holes at all council sessions he presides at in Santa, Tuba, Bamenda I, II, III or Bali, in the opening remark cautioned the Councillors to maintain some level of decorum and be disciplined in their interventions.

“This is because I will not want to see any fighting of Delegate or councilor , proposing good development ideas, and I repeat no disorder will be tolerated.

The point of going backward and forward on will not be tolerated; you have to be time conscious."

As Ndumbe landed, Government Delegate called him to order.

“My SDO, you are not in control here, I am the one chairing this meeting and if you can give us a break and come in with useful interventions, they are welcome sir. That said; we can go on.

" For the first time, the SDO was humbled, and the meeting ran for 6 hours without unnecessary squabbles.

The Councillors approved the city master plan and examined the 2013/2014 Administrative Accounts that stood at FCFA 2.2 Billion and expenditure 1.9 billion with a positive balance of FCFA 270 million carried forward.