Yaounde: House construction persists in high-risk zones

In spite of warnings by the authorities, many people still build on hillsides and in marshy areas.

Building a house is the dream of many Cameroonians, especially those living in big towns and cities. In Yaounde for instance, houses sprout up everyday due to rapid urbanization and rural exodus. Each day, at least a new house is being constructed in every neighbourhood.

However, what has raised eyebrows is the fact that a growing number of homes in the city are constructed in high-risk zones. In spite of repeated warnings by authorities and a 2004 town planning law that prohibits construction on land unsuitable for habitation, many people still build their houses in marshy areas, on cliffs and hillsides.

A few years ago, the Yaounde City Council authorities demolished houses in hazardous zones, notably Mbankolo, Ntaba, Oyom-Abang, Mvog-Betsi and the Mont Febe neigbourhoods.

In spite of the measures, people have returned to settle in most of these areas. Some have reconstructed their homes on the same spots where the City Council had instructed them to stop work and quit. A source at the Yaounde City Council said the authorities are working hard to restore order in the city.

Recently, floods hit some neigbourhoods in Yaounde, notably the Nkolbisson neighbourhood, leaving several families homeless. Even though the phenomenon occurs almost every year, people continue to live in the area. The story is similar to other areas in the city where the land is not good for habitation.

Many families, mostly children and women, take shelter in neighbourhoods’ homes when floods come. Some barely manage to flee with their belongings while others have their belongings damaged by the floods.

Paul Managa, an inhabitant of Nkolbisson said he continues to live there because it is his village. Managa said the recurrent floods in the neighbourhood are caused by people who empty dirt into the water passage.

This eventually blocks the flow of rain water, resulting in flooding. According to him, the water course should be widened and people sensitised to desist from emptying refuse into water passages.