Wouri Bridge Gridlock Worsens

For close to a week now, crossing the Wouri Bridge is not reserved for the hot-tempered. In order to meet up with any activity on either side of the Bridge, road users are obliged to allocate several hours ahead of their appointments in order to meet up.

Adeline T. is a resident of Akwa, one of the popular neighbourhoods in Douala. The single-mother breathed a sigh of relief when the long holidays were declared, given that she could send her 10-year-old son to visit her parents in her native North West Region. This way, she could better concentrate on her job. However, her wish turned into a farce when she embarked on the road last Friday June 21, 2013.

The Secretary in a local company had planned to swiftly skip to Bonaberi (where most inter-urban agencies are found) and drop off her son; before going to the office by 8:30am. Thus as early as 6am, she hit the road, accompanied by her son. However, the local transport vehicle she boarded spent up to three hours, just to cross the Wouri Bridge.

While debating about the cause of such a traffic jam in the car, the passengers advanced reasons that between 6am to 9am and 4pm to 8:30pm, traffic fluidity is disturbed by the rush hours. Others argued that the rehabilitation works on the 30-metre stretch at the entrance of the Bridge was the major cause, given that one lane is used by the workers and their trucks.

Whatever explanations they could give, they were unanimous on the setbacks the congestion has on every aspect of daily activities, especially as Douala is renowned as the economic heartbeat of the nation. Engulfed in a reverie, having missed the first bus, pending a query for being late for work, Adeline T., could only desire one thing: "How I wish there was another Bridge!"