Kumbo Water Crisis: SDO calls for urgent solutions

The office of the Kumbo Water Authority remains shut after protests over alleged mismanagement and rising water bills.

The prolonged water crisis in Kumbo, headquarters of Bui Division in the North West Region, which has since generated much disagreements, disinformation and rumours, was at the centre of a meeting of stakeholders on July 20, 2015 in Kumbo. The meeting was called by the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui, Nzeki Theophile.

The problem has seen the office of the Kumbo Water Authority, KWA, shut by the ‘Nwerong’ secret society after some people repeatedly protested over alleged mismanagement by KWA. The body, now managed by the Kumbo Council, used to be under the control of the Fon of Nso, His Royal Highness Sehm Mbinglo I.

Speaking to Cameroon Tribune after the talks that held behind closed doors, the SDO disclosed that the meeting brought together stakeholders of the Kumbo water crisis, including the Fon of Nso, His Royal Highness Sehm Mbinglo I, the Mayor of Kumbo Council, Njong Donatus Fonyuy and Mformi Stephen Ndzerem Njoka, who represented the Nso Development and Cultural Association, NSODA.

The Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Lukong Banadzem and a representative of Senator Emma Eno Lafon, amongst others, said it was agreed that local administrative authorities should ensure that all stakeholders sit together with the Fon of Nso to find solutions to the water crisis.

It was also agreed that during the two-week deadline to resolve the problem, the Memorandum of Understanding between Kumbo Council, the Fon of Nso and NSODA, should be revisited and that peace and order must reign. It was further decided that the Fon of Nso should meet all stakeholders to talk over the water crisis. According to Nzeki Theophile, who chaired the meeting, neutral bodies like the Catholic, Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and Cameroon Baptist Convention churches and Islamic leaders should moderate the crisis meeting.

A timeframe of two weeks was given to the parties to resolve the water crisis. It was further agreed that after the two weeks, if the crisis is not resolved, the law will take its course. The Senior Divisional Officer said during the two-week period, announcements sent to local radio stations concerning the water crisis must be censored by the Divisional Delegate of Communication to avoid further controversy and conflicts from the two parties.