Temporary occupation of public roads and streets in the country has become a common practice especially in big towns and cities. Roads are occupied during funerals, weddings, engagement ceremonies, birthdays and other ceremonies. In Yaounde, it is commonplace to find roads blocked in some neighbourhoods, especially during weekends.
The inhabitants of the Oyom Abang neighbourhood had a rather disturbing time last weekend as most of the roads in the area were blocked for funeral ceremonies. Most of the inhabitants could not go about their daily chores easily. Paul Onguene, a resident of the neighbourhood was confused. He was seen in his vehicle struggling to get to his home to no avail. He said he had spent three hours driving from Mokolo, a nearby neighbourhood to Oyom Abang. "I had to go through the Nkolbisson neighbourhood to reach my home," he said. The story is similar in the Essos neighbourhood where nearly all roads leading to that locality are almost permanently blocked during weekends for different ceremonies.
Citizens however have the right to occupy the road during manifestations, but they must have authorisation from the Divisional Officer. The occupation of roads has been a cause of concern to authorities and is fast becoming a nightmare to the population. Many people go beyond the normal period authorised.
An inhabitant of Oyom Abang who asked for anonymity said some people, when given authorisation, take upon themselves to prolong the period for reasons best known to them. "Normally, people are supposed to open up the road immediately after the ceremonies are over but some exaggerate because they are not sanctioned. Something needs to be done," he said. Marie Louise M. another Yaounde inhabitant said sometimes people are worn-out with work during ceremonies and so find it difficult to clear up the road immediately.
In order to restore order, the Government Delegate to the Yaounde City Council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, signed a press release on the issue. The release stipulates that authorisations to occupy roads for ceremonies must respect deadlines. In the release, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna called on those wishing to occupy roads or streets to seek the accord from the Government Delegate. According to the release, defaulters will face sanctions.
