Lake Nyos Dam Reinforcement On Course

Phase One of works to reinforce the dam on Lake Nyos is expected to be completed by the end of August 2013. The disclosure was made to Cameroon Tribune yesterday, August 20, 2013 by the Permanent Secretary of the Lake Nyos Rehabilitation Project, Gregory Leke Tanyi who further said that the de-gassing process is about 70 per cent completed, thanks to the official reception of two more de-gassing pipes to step up the process.

Memory lane takes Cameroon 27 years back to August 21, 1986 when the nation counted their dead. It was horrible when the killer Lake Nyos exploded, claiming the lives of over 2000 people, animals and birds. Twenty seven years after, the lake and its neighbourhoods are still a no-go-area. It is still a high-risk zone while survivors continue to impatiently wait for the total de-gassing of the lake waters to return to the land of their ancestors.

In effect, the Lake Nyos Rehabilitation Project carries the hopes of survivors currently spread across resettlement camps in Ipali, Esu, Kumfutu, Fungom, Upkwa, Kimbi and Buabua in Menchum and Boyo divisions. The project of hope is going on hitch-free to ensure the security of the lake area, de-gas the lake's waters and reinforce the lake's dam to prevent any collapse.

During a field visit in Nyos, in February 2013, Cameroon Tribune found a quiet but dangerous lake. Six months later, on August 20, 2013, survivors look up to the project to ensure the safety of the lake and its environment. The project of hope takes credit for winning the Presidential prize during the 2013 Scientific Days of Cameroon that held last July 2013.