Relatives, friends stream in to identify their victims
There have been distressing scenes at the Douala International Airport where a number of worried friends and relatives of the victims of the Kenyan airways plane Boeing 737-800 which crashed last Saturday have gathered. Family members from all the different countries which had passengers involved in the crash have been coming into Cameroon to identify their dead bodies. The family members have gone to Mbanga Pongo at the site of the crash. It is disheartening that their relatives they left a few hours back are discovered with no heads or hands. In some it is only the legs they found. The bodies of the victims are in a horrible state owing to the fact that the bodies were met in an advanced stage of decomposition. There are some corpses which have no hand or head. The passengers had been buried in the swamp as well as the aircraft it was not easy pulling them out of the mud. In some cases the rest of the body comes out but the arm cuts off and remains in the mud. It is a real pathetic and horrible scene.
Shortcomings
The, aircraft which off at 12:05 am and was later discovered on Sunday in a mangrove swamp at Mbanga Pongo, 12 miles from Douala Metropolis, has exposed a lot of short coming in the Cameroon government. Shortly after take-off, the plane reportedly sent a distress signal while flying over the dense forest region in the South Province of Cameroon. After that nothing more was heard from its pilots. The whole nation and the world were misled as it was insinuated the plane must have fallen around Lolodorf, in the South of Cameroon. May be it is because the last signals of the plane were received when the plane was flying over the dense forest of the South. Search teams all rushed to Lolodorf and there were no signs of a fallen plane. It was only on Sunday when a hunter discovered debris of the aircraft that the news got to the authorities. Even then assistance came from the French who assisted with a helicopter they brought in from Gabon to assist in the search. This took a lot of time to discover the aircraft. A situation the CEO of Kenyan airways Titus Nakuini said was because the terrain was difficult as well as the Spokesman for the Kenyan government Alfred Mutua who said the area was not well covered by radar so it was difficult to trace the plane’s flight path. According to Littoral Governor, Gounoko Haounaye, who visited the marshy mangroves area where the plane had crashed, on Sunday, he told reporters that the plane had been stuck deep into mud and due to darkness and lack of adequate equipments, they could not determine much.
A Lost to MTN Cameroon
The crash claimed lives of personalities. Among which were the MTN Cameroon Director Campbell Utton, the Financial Director Sarah Stewart and her husband Adam Stewart, MTN’s head of legal affair unit Patrick Njamfa and Joseph Patrice Essombo Enam an MTN engineer who was travelling for a training course. There was also Anthony Mitchell, a respected and well-known Associated Press journalist based in Nairobi. A Cameroonian Lawyer based in Arusha among others. As of now the cause of the crash besides poor weather, has not been known. But it was argued it could not have been a technical hitch because the plane was equipped with an emergency transmitter that sends out an automatic locator signal in the event of a rapid change in velocity. Now that one of the black boxes has been fond it would better clear out doubts.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
mardi 27 novembre 2007
Grappling With Increasing House Rents in Douala
Housing remains a nightmare as tenants are obliged to pay more than in the past.
Housing in Douala has been one of the most difficult aspects people coming to live in the town have to face as rents keep increasing. In spite of the fact that new houses are being built everyday there is still the need for more space and better houses to accumulate the growing population in Douala .As a result of the growing demand for better houses, landlords keep increasing rents. Most of them do so without bothering about the comfort of their tenants. Even landlords with rickety houses, keep their rents high because they know that tenants have no choice. Most of the houses, especially in swampy areas are built with local material such as cheap wood. It is difficult to match the rents paid for such houses and the houses especially in some slumps in Douala .New houses are built daily. But the new buildings are either not enough to accommodate the growing population or are unaffordable to most of the people. A landlord in Bonaberi, who has just built a hostel or “mini-cité" of high quality, lets out a one room and parlour apartment at 80,000 CFA a month on grounds that he has already equipped the house with furniture and television sets. He says the tenant need not border to equip the home but comes in only with his clothes. Even if some workers can afford to pay such exorbitant rents, most of them will not like to go and live in distant parts of the town. It is inconvenient for those who work in the main administrative part of the town or in down town such as in Bonanjo and Akwa where they will have to board taxis twice or thrice before getting to their job sites and their homes everyday. Apart from the taxi problem there is another nightmare. Even though one can find comfortable houses at PK 10, Ndogbong, Bonamoussadi and Bonaberi, the rents could be very expensive. In Bonanjo for instance, rents of a one room apartment in an in hostel or “mini-cite” cost about 150,000CFA a month. A two-bedroom house costs 250,000CFA, an amount which could even be more than a tenant’s one-month salary.In a chat with a few tenants in New Bell Bassa, a lady, Kondo Julienne complained bitterly. She said she has suffered a lot from illnesses because she suffers from floods each time it rains heavily. Her house is not only a rickety one but is in a slum where she suffers from mosquito bites and floods when it rains. Added to all these, her rents for a two- bedroom house without an internal kitchen, is 30.000CFA a month. She said she likes to leave the place but the rents of the houses she has attempted to get in are not at her reach.Another headache is finding a house to rent. Many people get in contact with middlemen. They get in touch with landlords and make known the vacant house. But these agents ask for much money. Before one of these agents gets a house for anyone in need, they asked for 5,000 CFA to open a file. When they succeed to get a house, the tenant has to pay one month of his rent to the agent. This has nothing to do with the contract he has with the landlord. He has to take about 20 per cent of the rent paid to the landlord. On the contrary, if the agency is well organised, the landlord pays the money there. One of the agents who accepted to talk to CT said that is the way they make their living. “When people go to work in the morning, we go out in search of houses. It is our own job and that is how we make our living.”
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Kenya Airway Crash: Search for Corpses Intensifies
Measures to recover corpses from the Kenya airway crash from the site in Mbanga Pongo has been stepped up. Three other mobile generators have been added to the existing two which were already at the site to drain water from the mangrove swamp. This has taken the mobile generators to five which are intended to do the job simultaneously pumping out water from the swampy area. Since Monday, rescue workers used the mobile generator to pump away water to expose more of the wreckage and body parts which have been covered by mud and they retrieved one of the plane's black boxes.
It was reported that since Monday, that the search for corpses of the victims started, each time water is drained from the area, it fills up again immediately. It is expected that with the intensification they would succeed in their mission to drain all the standing water, so that they can recover the rest of the human body parts which had sank in the mud. So far 92 body parts have been discovered and the crash site gets more and more a threat to human health. Rescuers have to dress in a white polyester pinafore, cover their nostrils and mouth to prevent any infection. After the return from the site everybody’s legs, hands and shoes are disinfected. The pieces of decomposed human flesh are mixed with mud giving the area a pungent odour which may be dangerous to health. Since the search began either one or two corpses were found complete with all their body parts. The other corpses are found either with no leg or hand or just the legs and so on. The health officials still have a task to identify a corpse with all its body parts. It was said a DNA test has to be carried out in order to be able to put the corpses together and their different body parts. Inhabitants of the area have been blocked from getting to the area because of the fear of the fact that they might develop an infection owing to the fact that they may get to the site without protecting themselves. Besides this, others may want to get to the area to steal, as most of them who went and stole money, cell phones, and jewelleries from the dead victims, were caught by the gendarmes. It was reported also that a villager got drowned in the mud when he went in search of some dead bodies to steal. His body was removed and given to his family.
In the meantime, while the search is still going on, the government has put in place three companies to create and ameliorate the existing road that leads to the site. Razel road Construction Company and a Chinese company have their caterpillars working on the road that leads to the site. It is 10kilometres from the highway into Mbanga Pongo, where the gendarmes have build a make shift post. And from there to the site of the crash it is three kilometres on foot to the crash site because it is not motor-able. The government is trying to ensure a road is ameliorated so that cars can get right to the site.
Effa Tambenkongho
It was reported that since Monday, that the search for corpses of the victims started, each time water is drained from the area, it fills up again immediately. It is expected that with the intensification they would succeed in their mission to drain all the standing water, so that they can recover the rest of the human body parts which had sank in the mud. So far 92 body parts have been discovered and the crash site gets more and more a threat to human health. Rescuers have to dress in a white polyester pinafore, cover their nostrils and mouth to prevent any infection. After the return from the site everybody’s legs, hands and shoes are disinfected. The pieces of decomposed human flesh are mixed with mud giving the area a pungent odour which may be dangerous to health. Since the search began either one or two corpses were found complete with all their body parts. The other corpses are found either with no leg or hand or just the legs and so on. The health officials still have a task to identify a corpse with all its body parts. It was said a DNA test has to be carried out in order to be able to put the corpses together and their different body parts. Inhabitants of the area have been blocked from getting to the area because of the fear of the fact that they might develop an infection owing to the fact that they may get to the site without protecting themselves. Besides this, others may want to get to the area to steal, as most of them who went and stole money, cell phones, and jewelleries from the dead victims, were caught by the gendarmes. It was reported also that a villager got drowned in the mud when he went in search of some dead bodies to steal. His body was removed and given to his family.
In the meantime, while the search is still going on, the government has put in place three companies to create and ameliorate the existing road that leads to the site. Razel road Construction Company and a Chinese company have their caterpillars working on the road that leads to the site. It is 10kilometres from the highway into Mbanga Pongo, where the gendarmes have build a make shift post. And from there to the site of the crash it is three kilometres on foot to the crash site because it is not motor-able. The government is trying to ensure a road is ameliorated so that cars can get right to the site.
Effa Tambenkongho
Douala Airport: No Sleep for Residents
The residents in these areas are not only haunted by noise pollution but also floods during heavy down pour.
Residents in Fret, elf, New and Old Town neighbourhoods in Douala, all residential areas close to the Douala International Airport are disturbed daily by the boozing noise and vibration caused by aircrafts either landing or taking off at night and day. There is virtually no lengthy period of calm and tranquillity as the planes touch down or take off all round the clock. The nuisance is usually worst for visitors on to the areas or someone who has to spend a few nights and days there. Sometimes they feel like jumping out of their beds. “It is horrible, one of them said, I thought the roof of the house was falling down”. But that is a normal occurrence to most of the regular residents of the areas. Most of them will sleep soundly even when two planes are roaring overhead to touch down. It is even worst at night when many planes take off and land. “It is not easy to have a sweet sleep,” Ngomba Agnes complained. “When I just came here it took me some time to get used to the noise. Sometimes I used to jump out of bed at night. It looked as though an earthquake was building up. But it was just a plane about to take off. Now, I am used to it. It is normal” said another resident. If some of them are used to the noise, many are still worried about the floods they face during heavy down pours that are regular during the rainy season. These days, it rains heavily at night and many people could not sleep because they had to grapple with the rising tide. At midnight, many people were scooping water out of their homes with buckets. The heavy rains and flood of June 27 could not be handled because it rained seriously and continuously for closed to twelve hours. Water flooded into homes.Life is particularly difficult during the rainy seasons in these areas. Several patches are below sea level. Most of the pit toilets are less than six feet deep because of the shallow water level. It is easy to dig and be blocked by get water. Unfortunately much of the water is not drinkable. Worse still when it rains, water causes faeces, maggots and all waste to float. Using the toilets can be quite disheartening and embarrassing.
Effa Tambenkongho
Residents in Fret, elf, New and Old Town neighbourhoods in Douala, all residential areas close to the Douala International Airport are disturbed daily by the boozing noise and vibration caused by aircrafts either landing or taking off at night and day. There is virtually no lengthy period of calm and tranquillity as the planes touch down or take off all round the clock. The nuisance is usually worst for visitors on to the areas or someone who has to spend a few nights and days there. Sometimes they feel like jumping out of their beds. “It is horrible, one of them said, I thought the roof of the house was falling down”. But that is a normal occurrence to most of the regular residents of the areas. Most of them will sleep soundly even when two planes are roaring overhead to touch down. It is even worst at night when many planes take off and land. “It is not easy to have a sweet sleep,” Ngomba Agnes complained. “When I just came here it took me some time to get used to the noise. Sometimes I used to jump out of bed at night. It looked as though an earthquake was building up. But it was just a plane about to take off. Now, I am used to it. It is normal” said another resident. If some of them are used to the noise, many are still worried about the floods they face during heavy down pours that are regular during the rainy season. These days, it rains heavily at night and many people could not sleep because they had to grapple with the rising tide. At midnight, many people were scooping water out of their homes with buckets. The heavy rains and flood of June 27 could not be handled because it rained seriously and continuously for closed to twelve hours. Water flooded into homes.Life is particularly difficult during the rainy seasons in these areas. Several patches are below sea level. Most of the pit toilets are less than six feet deep because of the shallow water level. It is easy to dig and be blocked by get water. Unfortunately much of the water is not drinkable. Worse still when it rains, water causes faeces, maggots and all waste to float. Using the toilets can be quite disheartening and embarrassing.
Effa Tambenkongho
Kenyan Airways Crash: Mbanga Pongo Known Worldwide
The disaster has led to exposure and perhaps notoriety of the locality in the nation and the whole world.
In the South East of Douala, about 12 miles away for the Metropolis lies Mbanga Pongo. It is a small village situated behind Tradex Mboko on the Douala- Yaounde highway. The village which was once unknown to many people in the country and beyond has in a short time gained international attention that some big towns in Cameroon are yet to have. Rather unfortunately, this has been as a result of the sad incident – the Kenyan Airway crash that claimed 114 lives. The little village had never received such visitors in the past. In about one week great scientists, journalists, diplomats, from different nations, tribes from around the world have trickled into the village. Their attention has been focused on the crash. For some, it was to tell the world what happened and what is being done. To others, it was to unravel the mystery of the accident and yet others, to attend to the needs of their citizens. All of these will make this little village to go down in history, especially the part that deals with disasters. Mbanga Pongo will be remembered as the village where the Kenya Airway Boeing 737-800 crashed killing 114 passengers on board and leaving no survivors. The village with a population of about 5,000 inhabitants is fairly lively as a result of its closeness to the city. Most of the villagers are subsistence farmers. A few others are hunters and while the rest are involved in sand extraction. Only one unpaved muddy track or access road with several bumps runs across the village. However, at a certain point, the road ends and the rest of the journey to the dense forest is done by trekking. The village is covered with mangrove swamps where the Kenya airways plane crashed and sunk.
Mbanga Pongo is yet to have potable water and electricity. As a result of the incident, Orange Cameroon has installed an emergency water energy supply system that provides electricity to the gendarmes and soldiers on guard.
The young people in this village are thoughtful. They are making use of the presence of the army officers, gendarmes on guard and those streaming in to the village to raise income. Some of the young people hang around hawking. They sell oranges and boiled eggs. There is one thing that inhabitants of the village can be proud of; it is sand. The village has fine grain sand used in building and construction works. Most of the walls of the houses in the village are being transformed from wood to block. The rush for land in the village has also attracted many wealthy people from the city. Some of them have started putting up good structures. Given its recent exposure to the rest of the world, it is likely that more changes will occur for the good of the land and its inhabitants. Already the government is providing access roads. Two road construction companies are already working on these projects.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
In the South East of Douala, about 12 miles away for the Metropolis lies Mbanga Pongo. It is a small village situated behind Tradex Mboko on the Douala- Yaounde highway. The village which was once unknown to many people in the country and beyond has in a short time gained international attention that some big towns in Cameroon are yet to have. Rather unfortunately, this has been as a result of the sad incident – the Kenyan Airway crash that claimed 114 lives. The little village had never received such visitors in the past. In about one week great scientists, journalists, diplomats, from different nations, tribes from around the world have trickled into the village. Their attention has been focused on the crash. For some, it was to tell the world what happened and what is being done. To others, it was to unravel the mystery of the accident and yet others, to attend to the needs of their citizens. All of these will make this little village to go down in history, especially the part that deals with disasters. Mbanga Pongo will be remembered as the village where the Kenya Airway Boeing 737-800 crashed killing 114 passengers on board and leaving no survivors. The village with a population of about 5,000 inhabitants is fairly lively as a result of its closeness to the city. Most of the villagers are subsistence farmers. A few others are hunters and while the rest are involved in sand extraction. Only one unpaved muddy track or access road with several bumps runs across the village. However, at a certain point, the road ends and the rest of the journey to the dense forest is done by trekking. The village is covered with mangrove swamps where the Kenya airways plane crashed and sunk.
Mbanga Pongo is yet to have potable water and electricity. As a result of the incident, Orange Cameroon has installed an emergency water energy supply system that provides electricity to the gendarmes and soldiers on guard.
The young people in this village are thoughtful. They are making use of the presence of the army officers, gendarmes on guard and those streaming in to the village to raise income. Some of the young people hang around hawking. They sell oranges and boiled eggs. There is one thing that inhabitants of the village can be proud of; it is sand. The village has fine grain sand used in building and construction works. Most of the walls of the houses in the village are being transformed from wood to block. The rush for land in the village has also attracted many wealthy people from the city. Some of them have started putting up good structures. Given its recent exposure to the rest of the world, it is likely that more changes will occur for the good of the land and its inhabitants. Already the government is providing access roads. Two road construction companies are already working on these projects.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Rush for English Language at the Linguistic Centre
Many more people are now studying the English language in Douala.
“I am from Equatorial Guinea. I have come to study French and English, because there are many American companies in my country. I like to work in one of them”. These were the words of a student of the Douala Linguistic Centre recently. English Language, especially in Cameroon is gaining more grounds owing to the fact that it is the Language most needed anywhere in the world today. In the past, many people did not consider its importance, but many Cameroonians have been discovering the need to learn and master the language when they attend international seminars and programmes abroad. Here in Douala, being a business town, many transactions are done in English. Much of the technological tools are in English. Some businessmen have expressed concern over the difficulties they face sometimes when they go to do business in Dubai and other countries. Besides there is also a shortcoming when people from other nationalities want to carry out some transactions with them.At the Douala Linguistic Centre there are more and more business persons who rush to study English Language to improve on their communication with their customers. They are business men from the private, as well as, some officials of the public sector. According to the Director of the Centre, Mrs Mbiwan Tanyi Ebob Evenye, companies like Guinness, COTCO, AES-SONEL, Standard Charter Bank, Chantier Naval, DHL, and ASCENA among others always send their staff for training. Companies have seen the increasing need to understand and work in the two official languages in Cameroon. The reason why in job advertisements there is the request for people who have a mastery of both the written and spoken French and English. Mrs Tanyi Ebob also testified that another category of students she has are job seekers. Companies want to give the best to their customers and clients and it can only be possible when they have workers who can express themselves in both English and French. Douala being a francophone area, the number of people who wish to learn English learners is more than those who wish to learn French. She added that this is so because some Anglophones take the bull by the horn and speak even poor French as long as they can drive through their message. But a francophone would always say “my English is not good” and will hesitate to speak.There is another category of students who want to travel to Europe and America for further studies. “They have no choice but to study English”, the Director said. There are other big centres where the English Language can be taught such as, the American Language Centre and the British Council, in Douala. But the Linguistic Centre in Douala is a bilingual training centre for both Anglophones and Francophones. Apart from the language classes, there also offer training in computer usage in both English and French. According to the Assistant Director, Denis Ngono, training is done using audio-visuals, books and practical at the Self-Access Learning Centre. This centre has cubicles that are learning units, used in correcting pronunciations. Apart from Equatorial Guineans there are also Indians, Nigerians, etc, who study English to improve on their relations with business partners.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
“I am from Equatorial Guinea. I have come to study French and English, because there are many American companies in my country. I like to work in one of them”. These were the words of a student of the Douala Linguistic Centre recently. English Language, especially in Cameroon is gaining more grounds owing to the fact that it is the Language most needed anywhere in the world today. In the past, many people did not consider its importance, but many Cameroonians have been discovering the need to learn and master the language when they attend international seminars and programmes abroad. Here in Douala, being a business town, many transactions are done in English. Much of the technological tools are in English. Some businessmen have expressed concern over the difficulties they face sometimes when they go to do business in Dubai and other countries. Besides there is also a shortcoming when people from other nationalities want to carry out some transactions with them.At the Douala Linguistic Centre there are more and more business persons who rush to study English Language to improve on their communication with their customers. They are business men from the private, as well as, some officials of the public sector. According to the Director of the Centre, Mrs Mbiwan Tanyi Ebob Evenye, companies like Guinness, COTCO, AES-SONEL, Standard Charter Bank, Chantier Naval, DHL, and ASCENA among others always send their staff for training. Companies have seen the increasing need to understand and work in the two official languages in Cameroon. The reason why in job advertisements there is the request for people who have a mastery of both the written and spoken French and English. Mrs Tanyi Ebob also testified that another category of students she has are job seekers. Companies want to give the best to their customers and clients and it can only be possible when they have workers who can express themselves in both English and French. Douala being a francophone area, the number of people who wish to learn English learners is more than those who wish to learn French. She added that this is so because some Anglophones take the bull by the horn and speak even poor French as long as they can drive through their message. But a francophone would always say “my English is not good” and will hesitate to speak.There is another category of students who want to travel to Europe and America for further studies. “They have no choice but to study English”, the Director said. There are other big centres where the English Language can be taught such as, the American Language Centre and the British Council, in Douala. But the Linguistic Centre in Douala is a bilingual training centre for both Anglophones and Francophones. Apart from the language classes, there also offer training in computer usage in both English and French. According to the Assistant Director, Denis Ngono, training is done using audio-visuals, books and practical at the Self-Access Learning Centre. This centre has cubicles that are learning units, used in correcting pronunciations. Apart from Equatorial Guineans there are also Indians, Nigerians, etc, who study English to improve on their relations with business partners.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Business Hub
Unlike other towns in the country, most inhabitants in Douala are always on their heels.
In Douala, “time is money”. This old adage aptly describes the way people in the economic capital of Cameroon go about their daily chores. It looks like everybody in this sprawling city of about 2 million people is involved in some business or the other. Someone who gets into the town from other localities in the country easily goes with this impression. People are busy and have little or no time to spend attending to what does not concern them.
About 80 per cent of the industrial activities in the country take place in Douala. Most of the giant companies in Cameroon have their headquarters situated in Douala. They include the breweries such as, Guinness Cameroon, Les Brasseries du Cameroun, MTN, and Orange among others. There are also big companies owned by individuals like the Fokou, as well as, other building construction equipment companies.
Douala serves as a transit centre for all sorts of goods to the rest of Cameroon. The Douala sea port is one of the major openings which facilitates the importation and exportation of goods and services. Business at the port is brisk. Ships dock in daily, bringing in finished goods and taking on timber, oil, banana, etc, to other countries.
Another opening is the Douala international airport. Compared to other towns in Cameroon Douala has fairly good roads. They ease transportation to any part of the country. No doubt many industries are located in the city. There is also a multiplier effect as several satellite businesses have sprung up. That is probably why some say everybody in Douala is involved in one kind of business or the other. Its closeness to other markets in the sub-region is also of great importance. As such, Douala serves internal and external market needs. The population of the town is large. This gives room for a ready market.
Everyday, small and medium size companies spring up in Douala to meet the needs of the increasing population. Unfortunately, businessmen have not found it easy with the taxation department which obliges them to pay their taxes. But tax evasion is commonplace in Douala, especially among businessmen of the informal.
Many small businessmen we talked to say that it is difficult to set up business in Cameroon. The applicant must first deposit the initial capital to run the company in a bank and obtain a receipt. He then presents the physical location plan to the taxation department and obtains an attestation of business premises. This will cost FCFA 12,500. A notary verifies and reserves the proposed company name by filing a motion with the African Intellectual Property Organization's office in Yaoundé. An attorney/notary drafts the Memorandum and Article of Association; sign company by-laws before the notary which will cost FCFA 500000.
The signed by-laws are duly registered at the Stamp Duty Office of the Department of Taxation at 2 per cent of the share capital including fiscal stamps. The business tax is paid; a taxpayer number is obtained with the Inspectorate of Taxes in the area where the enterprise is located. After declaring the existence of the company before the authorities in charge of the industry, the local office of Department of Labour, it is also declared and the personnel employed if any before the National Social Insurance Fund.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
In Douala, “time is money”. This old adage aptly describes the way people in the economic capital of Cameroon go about their daily chores. It looks like everybody in this sprawling city of about 2 million people is involved in some business or the other. Someone who gets into the town from other localities in the country easily goes with this impression. People are busy and have little or no time to spend attending to what does not concern them.
About 80 per cent of the industrial activities in the country take place in Douala. Most of the giant companies in Cameroon have their headquarters situated in Douala. They include the breweries such as, Guinness Cameroon, Les Brasseries du Cameroun, MTN, and Orange among others. There are also big companies owned by individuals like the Fokou, as well as, other building construction equipment companies.
Douala serves as a transit centre for all sorts of goods to the rest of Cameroon. The Douala sea port is one of the major openings which facilitates the importation and exportation of goods and services. Business at the port is brisk. Ships dock in daily, bringing in finished goods and taking on timber, oil, banana, etc, to other countries.
Another opening is the Douala international airport. Compared to other towns in Cameroon Douala has fairly good roads. They ease transportation to any part of the country. No doubt many industries are located in the city. There is also a multiplier effect as several satellite businesses have sprung up. That is probably why some say everybody in Douala is involved in one kind of business or the other. Its closeness to other markets in the sub-region is also of great importance. As such, Douala serves internal and external market needs. The population of the town is large. This gives room for a ready market.
Everyday, small and medium size companies spring up in Douala to meet the needs of the increasing population. Unfortunately, businessmen have not found it easy with the taxation department which obliges them to pay their taxes. But tax evasion is commonplace in Douala, especially among businessmen of the informal.
Many small businessmen we talked to say that it is difficult to set up business in Cameroon. The applicant must first deposit the initial capital to run the company in a bank and obtain a receipt. He then presents the physical location plan to the taxation department and obtains an attestation of business premises. This will cost FCFA 12,500. A notary verifies and reserves the proposed company name by filing a motion with the African Intellectual Property Organization's office in Yaoundé. An attorney/notary drafts the Memorandum and Article of Association; sign company by-laws before the notary which will cost FCFA 500000.
The signed by-laws are duly registered at the Stamp Duty Office of the Department of Taxation at 2 per cent of the share capital including fiscal stamps. The business tax is paid; a taxpayer number is obtained with the Inspectorate of Taxes in the area where the enterprise is located. After declaring the existence of the company before the authorities in charge of the industry, the local office of Department of Labour, it is also declared and the personnel employed if any before the National Social Insurance Fund.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Survival Instincts
Idle minds have no place in this sprawling business city.
Everyone develops some creative skills. Unemployment has been the cry of most youths today. Thousands of job-seekers roam streets in the country. Each year over 5,000 students graduate from State universities into the job market. Many have been frustrated and turned to stealing. Yet others have put off their degree coats to create jobs for themselves, no matter how mean they may be. All is done in an effort to survive. Many youths in Douala fall into this category. For someone who visits Doaual for the first time, everybody seems to be involved in one business or the other.
The streets are very busy in the morning as people rise up early and begin to rush to either catch up with clients or get their hands on just anything that can fetch money. The hustle and bustle is characteristic of young men and women who retail goods, offer cheap services or serve as intermediaries in several businesses. The streets are usually crowded, especially the pedestrian walks, as people stream to work, the market and other business centres. It is like time is against everybody.
As for the traffic congestion, Douala has it stole. Even those who have little time to, spare on the way are usually bogged down. People do all kinds of jobs to survive as long as they can make a living. One thing is however, unique among Douala’s business community. People try to just anything to make money and not wait for white collar jobs which are not only rare but are least remunerated.
Alain Georges Nyemb sells pilled pineapples along the streets in Bonanjo. He is a graduate from the University of Douala with a degree in Economics. He said he graduated four years ago but could not find a job to fend on for himself, parents and younger ones at home. “I decided to get into this business because I could not realise my dream of picking up a well-paid job in one of the big companies in Bassa”, he said.
As such he pulls a cart of pineapple slices every day from one part of the town to the other. And so like thousands of youths in Douala, he makes a living. How decent this may be is another story. But life goes on. Youths in Douala are generally creative. Many are in the call box telephone business along the streets. Others raise some capital and buy motorbikes used in transporting people and goods from one part of the town to the other.
Even cold water sold in small plastic bags of cups can be the source of living in city where temperatures often soar over 30 degrees Celsius. Along the streets a cup of water is CFA 10 FRS. It may seem very insignificant for a visitor.
But by the end of the day, kids in this business usually return home with several coins that add up to something significant.If one marvels at those who sell water, then it may be even more awesome when they meet shoe shines.
The dexterous manner in which they usually do the job really attracts many onlookers. In spite of all the efforts many inhabitants put in to irk a living, the men of the underworld also struggle for a place. And often, their activity derails those who sincerely make an effort to earn their living honestly. They reap from where they do not sow. Theft is also rife in Douala. No single day goes by without someone complaining about theft or burglary here or there. This causes a lot of insecurity in the town.
There are also pickpockets and handbag snatchers. They do it in broad day light and escape. This is common with street children. Anybody coming to Douala for the first time must therefore guard against this kind of people.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Everyone develops some creative skills. Unemployment has been the cry of most youths today. Thousands of job-seekers roam streets in the country. Each year over 5,000 students graduate from State universities into the job market. Many have been frustrated and turned to stealing. Yet others have put off their degree coats to create jobs for themselves, no matter how mean they may be. All is done in an effort to survive. Many youths in Douala fall into this category. For someone who visits Doaual for the first time, everybody seems to be involved in one business or the other.
The streets are very busy in the morning as people rise up early and begin to rush to either catch up with clients or get their hands on just anything that can fetch money. The hustle and bustle is characteristic of young men and women who retail goods, offer cheap services or serve as intermediaries in several businesses. The streets are usually crowded, especially the pedestrian walks, as people stream to work, the market and other business centres. It is like time is against everybody.
As for the traffic congestion, Douala has it stole. Even those who have little time to, spare on the way are usually bogged down. People do all kinds of jobs to survive as long as they can make a living. One thing is however, unique among Douala’s business community. People try to just anything to make money and not wait for white collar jobs which are not only rare but are least remunerated.
Alain Georges Nyemb sells pilled pineapples along the streets in Bonanjo. He is a graduate from the University of Douala with a degree in Economics. He said he graduated four years ago but could not find a job to fend on for himself, parents and younger ones at home. “I decided to get into this business because I could not realise my dream of picking up a well-paid job in one of the big companies in Bassa”, he said.
As such he pulls a cart of pineapple slices every day from one part of the town to the other. And so like thousands of youths in Douala, he makes a living. How decent this may be is another story. But life goes on. Youths in Douala are generally creative. Many are in the call box telephone business along the streets. Others raise some capital and buy motorbikes used in transporting people and goods from one part of the town to the other.
Even cold water sold in small plastic bags of cups can be the source of living in city where temperatures often soar over 30 degrees Celsius. Along the streets a cup of water is CFA 10 FRS. It may seem very insignificant for a visitor.
But by the end of the day, kids in this business usually return home with several coins that add up to something significant.If one marvels at those who sell water, then it may be even more awesome when they meet shoe shines.
The dexterous manner in which they usually do the job really attracts many onlookers. In spite of all the efforts many inhabitants put in to irk a living, the men of the underworld also struggle for a place. And often, their activity derails those who sincerely make an effort to earn their living honestly. They reap from where they do not sow. Theft is also rife in Douala. No single day goes by without someone complaining about theft or burglary here or there. This causes a lot of insecurity in the town.
There are also pickpockets and handbag snatchers. They do it in broad day light and escape. This is common with street children. Anybody coming to Douala for the first time must therefore guard against this kind of people.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Survival Instincts
Idle minds have no place in this sprawling business city.
Everyone develops some creative skills. Unemployment has been the cry of most youths today. Thousands of job-seekers roam streets in the country. Each year over 5,000 students graduate from State universities into the job market. Many have been frustrated and turned to stealing. Yet others have put off their degree coats to create jobs for themselves, no matter how mean they may be. All is done in an effort to survive. Many youths in Douala fall into this category. For someone who visits Doaual for the first time, everybody seems to be involved in one business or the other.
The streets are very busy in the morning as people rise up early and begin to rush to either catch up with clients or get their hands on just anything that can fetch money. The hustle and bustle is characteristic of young men and women who retail goods, offer cheap services or serve as intermediaries in several businesses. The streets are usually crowded, especially the pedestrian walks, as people stream to work, the market and other business centres. It is like time is against everybody.
As for the traffic congestion, Douala has it stole. Even those who have little time to, spare on the way are usually bogged down. People do all kinds of jobs to survive as long as they can make a living. One thing is however, unique among Douala’s business community. People try to just anything to make money and not wait for white collar jobs which are not only rare but are least remunerated.
Alain Georges Nyemb sells pilled pineapples along the streets in Bonanjo. He is a graduate from the University of Douala with a degree in Economics. He said he graduated four years ago but could not find a job to fend on for himself, parents and younger ones at home. “I decided to get into this business because I could not realise my dream of picking up a well-paid job in one of the big companies in Bassa”, he said.
As such he pulls a cart of pineapple slices every day from one part of the town to the other. And so like thousands of youths in Douala, he makes a living. How decent this may be is another story. But life goes on. Youths in Douala are generally creative. Many are in the call box telephone business along the streets. Others raise some capital and buy motorbikes used in transporting people and goods from one part of the town to the other.
Even cold water sold in small plastic bags of cups can be the source of living in city where temperatures often soar over 30 degrees Celsius. Along the streets a cup of water is CFA 10 FRS. It may seem very insignificant for a visitor.
But by the end of the day, kids in this business usually return home with several coins that add up to something significant.If one marvels at those who sell water, then it may be even more awesome when they meet shoe shines.
The dexterous manner in which they usually do the job really attracts many onlookers. In spite of all the efforts many inhabitants put in to irk a living, the men of the underworld also struggle for a place. And often, their activity derails those who sincerely make an effort to earn their living honestly. They reap from where they do not sow. Theft is also rife in Douala. No single day goes by without someone complaining about theft or burglary here or there. This causes a lot of insecurity in the town.
There are also pickpockets and handbag snatchers. They do it in broad day light and escape. This is common with street children. Anybody coming to Douala for the first time must therefore guard against this kind of people.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Everyone develops some creative skills. Unemployment has been the cry of most youths today. Thousands of job-seekers roam streets in the country. Each year over 5,000 students graduate from State universities into the job market. Many have been frustrated and turned to stealing. Yet others have put off their degree coats to create jobs for themselves, no matter how mean they may be. All is done in an effort to survive. Many youths in Douala fall into this category. For someone who visits Doaual for the first time, everybody seems to be involved in one business or the other.
The streets are very busy in the morning as people rise up early and begin to rush to either catch up with clients or get their hands on just anything that can fetch money. The hustle and bustle is characteristic of young men and women who retail goods, offer cheap services or serve as intermediaries in several businesses. The streets are usually crowded, especially the pedestrian walks, as people stream to work, the market and other business centres. It is like time is against everybody.
As for the traffic congestion, Douala has it stole. Even those who have little time to, spare on the way are usually bogged down. People do all kinds of jobs to survive as long as they can make a living. One thing is however, unique among Douala’s business community. People try to just anything to make money and not wait for white collar jobs which are not only rare but are least remunerated.
Alain Georges Nyemb sells pilled pineapples along the streets in Bonanjo. He is a graduate from the University of Douala with a degree in Economics. He said he graduated four years ago but could not find a job to fend on for himself, parents and younger ones at home. “I decided to get into this business because I could not realise my dream of picking up a well-paid job in one of the big companies in Bassa”, he said.
As such he pulls a cart of pineapple slices every day from one part of the town to the other. And so like thousands of youths in Douala, he makes a living. How decent this may be is another story. But life goes on. Youths in Douala are generally creative. Many are in the call box telephone business along the streets. Others raise some capital and buy motorbikes used in transporting people and goods from one part of the town to the other.
Even cold water sold in small plastic bags of cups can be the source of living in city where temperatures often soar over 30 degrees Celsius. Along the streets a cup of water is CFA 10 FRS. It may seem very insignificant for a visitor.
But by the end of the day, kids in this business usually return home with several coins that add up to something significant.If one marvels at those who sell water, then it may be even more awesome when they meet shoe shines.
The dexterous manner in which they usually do the job really attracts many onlookers. In spite of all the efforts many inhabitants put in to irk a living, the men of the underworld also struggle for a place. And often, their activity derails those who sincerely make an effort to earn their living honestly. They reap from where they do not sow. Theft is also rife in Douala. No single day goes by without someone complaining about theft or burglary here or there. This causes a lot of insecurity in the town.
There are also pickpockets and handbag snatchers. They do it in broad day light and escape. This is common with street children. Anybody coming to Douala for the first time must therefore guard against this kind of people.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Syndicate Wars with Clandestine Schools
In a press conference held on August 15,141 primary and nursery schools and 36 colleges were said to be operating illegally in Littoral.
The President of the Syndicate in charge of privately owned schools and colleges in Douala, André Tchoualeu, has called on the government to close down schools which have been operating illegally or regulate their documents. He said if Government does not do it the syndicates will mobilise and ensure that it is done. The president said the law gives the syndicate the right to take any owner of an establishment operating illegally to court and such a person can spend up to five years of imprisonment. “If the government takes no action the syndicate will protest and go to court.” said Tchoualeu.
The president stated that in the whole of littoral there are about 177 institutions which are operating illegally. This he explained is in three categories. There are some schools which do not have documents registered with the government, there are some which have registered but have not yet been given the authorisation to begin, while there are others with fake documents. Giving the statistics, he said as a whole, Douala has 158 schools out of which 128 are under basic education and 30 under secondary education which are illegal. In the Mungo they are 17, seven of which are primary and nursery schools while six are secondary schools and in Sanaga Maritime, there are six. He further differentiated them in terms of categories, stating that there are 85 primary and nursery schools in Douala III, IV, V and five in Sanaga Maritime and four in the Mungo which are operating without documents. For Secondary schools he said there are 18 in Douala I, III, IV, and V, and in the Mungo there are four. For those operating with papers but without a go ahead, there are 39 in Douala III,IV,V, one in Sanaga Maritime and three in the Mungo while for secondary schools there are 12 in Douala III, IV, V and two in the Mungo.
According to the President it is not only the documents which matter but also the school infrastructure. He gave an example of a primary school somewhere in Madagascar in Douala where he said the “pupils were stocked in class, as if in a tin of sardine”. He said there are some where the children will have to cross funny hanging bridges where they can easily fall and harm themselves, before getting to their classrooms. He also condemns schools situated in swampy areas All these must be looked into and corrected, said he. In other to remedy the situation, Tchoualeu said from this week they are going to paste a list of all authorised schools in every authorised school so that parents will verify when they go to register their children to make sure that school is on the list. “We want to limit registration in these clandestine schools, so that parents do not get embarrassed in the mid school year when the school is shut down.
Finally he called on Government to ensure that schools which were shut down but forcefully re-opened without meeting the conditions on the grounds that they wanted students to write public exams should not be allowed to register students for public exams.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The President of the Syndicate in charge of privately owned schools and colleges in Douala, André Tchoualeu, has called on the government to close down schools which have been operating illegally or regulate their documents. He said if Government does not do it the syndicates will mobilise and ensure that it is done. The president said the law gives the syndicate the right to take any owner of an establishment operating illegally to court and such a person can spend up to five years of imprisonment. “If the government takes no action the syndicate will protest and go to court.” said Tchoualeu.
The president stated that in the whole of littoral there are about 177 institutions which are operating illegally. This he explained is in three categories. There are some schools which do not have documents registered with the government, there are some which have registered but have not yet been given the authorisation to begin, while there are others with fake documents. Giving the statistics, he said as a whole, Douala has 158 schools out of which 128 are under basic education and 30 under secondary education which are illegal. In the Mungo they are 17, seven of which are primary and nursery schools while six are secondary schools and in Sanaga Maritime, there are six. He further differentiated them in terms of categories, stating that there are 85 primary and nursery schools in Douala III, IV, V and five in Sanaga Maritime and four in the Mungo which are operating without documents. For Secondary schools he said there are 18 in Douala I, III, IV, and V, and in the Mungo there are four. For those operating with papers but without a go ahead, there are 39 in Douala III,IV,V, one in Sanaga Maritime and three in the Mungo while for secondary schools there are 12 in Douala III, IV, V and two in the Mungo.
According to the President it is not only the documents which matter but also the school infrastructure. He gave an example of a primary school somewhere in Madagascar in Douala where he said the “pupils were stocked in class, as if in a tin of sardine”. He said there are some where the children will have to cross funny hanging bridges where they can easily fall and harm themselves, before getting to their classrooms. He also condemns schools situated in swampy areas All these must be looked into and corrected, said he. In other to remedy the situation, Tchoualeu said from this week they are going to paste a list of all authorised schools in every authorised school so that parents will verify when they go to register their children to make sure that school is on the list. “We want to limit registration in these clandestine schools, so that parents do not get embarrassed in the mid school year when the school is shut down.
Finally he called on Government to ensure that schools which were shut down but forcefully re-opened without meeting the conditions on the grounds that they wanted students to write public exams should not be allowed to register students for public exams.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Upholstery: Lucrative Business in Douala
Workshops and showrooms of locally made upholstery are strewn all over the city, especially along major streets.
In almost every neighbourhood in Douala, young men are at work, manufacturing upholsteries. Most of the workshops are along the streets, where they are displayed and sold. Most of the upholsters testified that it is a lucrative business which brings in much profits. Nowadays, high quality upholstery sets are very expensive. Customers pay dearly to obtain these cherished sets of chairs.
The other side of the story is the attitude of carpenters. Many people say they are cheats. Sometimes they use cheap material obliging their clients to pay much money for them. What one sees outside may not necessarily be the same quality within. For instance, some use less wood and add cartoons to replace wood. The effect is that after a while the chair sinks in the middle because the cartoon becomes worn out. Some of the carpenters are simply not skilful. In Ndogpassi, CT talked to Alpha Kwendi who has a workshop close to the road. He said some years ago he was an apprentice in one of the workshops in Douala where he learnt how to produce the chairs. He said the price he offers to his customers depends on the amount of money he puts in to produce the chairs. He said he uses wood, foam, which are the most expensive material and a good cloth to cover the foam on the chair. « The price I offer depends on the cost of wood and other material, he explained. He complained that wood is very expensive in Douala unlike in Yaounde where carpenters get supplies from the East Province. The carpenter has no catalogue but he uses photographs of some of his works and also those of his former master where he was trained as samples for customers to choose models. The prices of his chairs range from 150,000CFA to 500,000 CFA. The price of a single sofa is about 80,000CFA.
In Mboppi, CT talked to Tembena Mfoipon Marie Claire, who works in Compagnie Equatoriale des travaux et d’équipement. Apart from a showroom, the company owns a workshop. They employ carpenters at the workshop. According to them, it is on-the-job training that matters and not where the carpenter was trained. If one can prove his worth in the workshop then he is employed. At the show room, they have catalogues of the various models from Europe and pictures of the upholsteries they had produced and sold. A customer can choose a model manufactured in Europe and it will be produced identically and sold at a comparatively cheaper rate, she said. They produce in large quantities because they deal mostly with companies, though they also serve individual customers.
In the showroom, the handiwork looks quite attractive but also very expensive. The company staff argued that the chairs produced in Europe are good and very expensive but there isn’t much difference in quality with those produced and sold in Cameroon. The only difference, she added is that there are certain materials they need that are not found in Cameroon. She said most of their customers do not love imported chairs. They prefer chairs which expose much wood. They say “we are in Africa and we have good wood, we want to see wood».
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
In almost every neighbourhood in Douala, young men are at work, manufacturing upholsteries. Most of the workshops are along the streets, where they are displayed and sold. Most of the upholsters testified that it is a lucrative business which brings in much profits. Nowadays, high quality upholstery sets are very expensive. Customers pay dearly to obtain these cherished sets of chairs.
The other side of the story is the attitude of carpenters. Many people say they are cheats. Sometimes they use cheap material obliging their clients to pay much money for them. What one sees outside may not necessarily be the same quality within. For instance, some use less wood and add cartoons to replace wood. The effect is that after a while the chair sinks in the middle because the cartoon becomes worn out. Some of the carpenters are simply not skilful. In Ndogpassi, CT talked to Alpha Kwendi who has a workshop close to the road. He said some years ago he was an apprentice in one of the workshops in Douala where he learnt how to produce the chairs. He said the price he offers to his customers depends on the amount of money he puts in to produce the chairs. He said he uses wood, foam, which are the most expensive material and a good cloth to cover the foam on the chair. « The price I offer depends on the cost of wood and other material, he explained. He complained that wood is very expensive in Douala unlike in Yaounde where carpenters get supplies from the East Province. The carpenter has no catalogue but he uses photographs of some of his works and also those of his former master where he was trained as samples for customers to choose models. The prices of his chairs range from 150,000CFA to 500,000 CFA. The price of a single sofa is about 80,000CFA.
In Mboppi, CT talked to Tembena Mfoipon Marie Claire, who works in Compagnie Equatoriale des travaux et d’équipement. Apart from a showroom, the company owns a workshop. They employ carpenters at the workshop. According to them, it is on-the-job training that matters and not where the carpenter was trained. If one can prove his worth in the workshop then he is employed. At the show room, they have catalogues of the various models from Europe and pictures of the upholsteries they had produced and sold. A customer can choose a model manufactured in Europe and it will be produced identically and sold at a comparatively cheaper rate, she said. They produce in large quantities because they deal mostly with companies, though they also serve individual customers.
In the showroom, the handiwork looks quite attractive but also very expensive. The company staff argued that the chairs produced in Europe are good and very expensive but there isn’t much difference in quality with those produced and sold in Cameroon. The only difference, she added is that there are certain materials they need that are not found in Cameroon. She said most of their customers do not love imported chairs. They prefer chairs which expose much wood. They say “we are in Africa and we have good wood, we want to see wood».
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Technical Control of Vehicles: a Means to Curb Accidents
Many drivers especially of transport vehicles dread Technical control of their vehicles.
Road accidents which have been very rampant lately in our towns and highways provoked the government to indulge in serious road safety campaigns to curb theses accidents. These accidents are not mostly caused by over speeding as it is often regarded or drunkenness. In most of such accidents, negligence has a great role to play. Some drivers do not take time to service their cars to ensure they are in a good state to ply the roads. Some accidents are caused by technical errors from some of the vehicles. A look at the kind of vehicles that ply the streets in the name of transport vehicles is disheartening. Most of them are very old car, with make terrible noises; some do not even have keys to start the car. They use two wires, the negative and positive to start the car.
Most drivers ignore taking their cars for technical controls. The cars are checked for errors and also to ensure they can freely ply the roads. Drivers claim their cars are good and do not need to be checked. They believe these kinds of controls are necessary for trucks which have constant break failures.
Talking to Mme Natanga Denise Aurelie, who is in charge of exploitation at the Satellite Ngono centre for technical control of vehicles and automobiles in Bonaberi, she said vehicles do stream in for technical control, while at other times they are not there. When these vehicles come for check up, the controller uses a remote control. The error if there is any is detected by the computer which gives the result of the check up.
Vehicles which have serious problems are given a verbal complain and given 15 days to do repairs if not the centre has to write a complain to the Delegation of Transport if the driver is recalcitrant. After check up, a windscreen licence is placed on the vehicle which states the date of visit and the next visit.
Asked if drivers dread these visit because of the cost of check up, she said the costs is a meagre sum. Taxis have a regular visit of thrice a year because of their over usage and each visit they have to pay FCFA 4,900, while personal cars, pick ups have a yearly visit and they pay FCFA 9,500, for buses and trucks they visit for check up twice a day and pay FCFA 11,925 and FCFA 14,410 respectively in each visit.
It is true that accidents are inevitable but if drivers become more careful in doing constant check up, it would go a long way to curb some unnecessary accidents which could have been avoided. The police too could be of help not to check only windscreen licences issued by the Ministry of Transport but to also check that which is given by the Centre for technical control so that it will cause many more cares to go for technical control.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Road accidents which have been very rampant lately in our towns and highways provoked the government to indulge in serious road safety campaigns to curb theses accidents. These accidents are not mostly caused by over speeding as it is often regarded or drunkenness. In most of such accidents, negligence has a great role to play. Some drivers do not take time to service their cars to ensure they are in a good state to ply the roads. Some accidents are caused by technical errors from some of the vehicles. A look at the kind of vehicles that ply the streets in the name of transport vehicles is disheartening. Most of them are very old car, with make terrible noises; some do not even have keys to start the car. They use two wires, the negative and positive to start the car.
Most drivers ignore taking their cars for technical controls. The cars are checked for errors and also to ensure they can freely ply the roads. Drivers claim their cars are good and do not need to be checked. They believe these kinds of controls are necessary for trucks which have constant break failures.
Talking to Mme Natanga Denise Aurelie, who is in charge of exploitation at the Satellite Ngono centre for technical control of vehicles and automobiles in Bonaberi, she said vehicles do stream in for technical control, while at other times they are not there. When these vehicles come for check up, the controller uses a remote control. The error if there is any is detected by the computer which gives the result of the check up.
Vehicles which have serious problems are given a verbal complain and given 15 days to do repairs if not the centre has to write a complain to the Delegation of Transport if the driver is recalcitrant. After check up, a windscreen licence is placed on the vehicle which states the date of visit and the next visit.
Asked if drivers dread these visit because of the cost of check up, she said the costs is a meagre sum. Taxis have a regular visit of thrice a year because of their over usage and each visit they have to pay FCFA 4,900, while personal cars, pick ups have a yearly visit and they pay FCFA 9,500, for buses and trucks they visit for check up twice a day and pay FCFA 11,925 and FCFA 14,410 respectively in each visit.
It is true that accidents are inevitable but if drivers become more careful in doing constant check up, it would go a long way to curb some unnecessary accidents which could have been avoided. The police too could be of help not to check only windscreen licences issued by the Ministry of Transport but to also check that which is given by the Centre for technical control so that it will cause many more cares to go for technical control.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
US Professor Visits Douala V Council Area
The ceremony took place at the Douala V council meeting hall in Bonamoussadi.
Claire Moore Dickerson, Professor of Law in the Rutgers School of Law, Newwark, USA, visited the Douala V council on invitation by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Douala V council, François Foning. In a welcome address by Mme Foning, she presented the council area to the professor, as a place to visit. She said her council area has a population of about a million inhabitants, a council of 35 members. She added that the council has a duty to ameliorate the living conditions of the population of Douala V. She went on enumerating some of the difficulties faced in the council area which they have to combat such as the alleviation of poverty, unemployment of the youths, protection of the environment, the fight against epidemics and diseases, underemployment, among others.
Foning continued that the council area is cosmopolitan. She called on her guest to use her position to liaise the council with some universities in the United States so that the youths could have opportunities to study in some of the universities in the USA.
She went on to enumerate the things the council has done so far. The council has built a health centre, constructed a road around Makepe, and opened a centre for internships for youths. She added that training is done in English giving that Cameroon is a bilingual Country. She solicited the help of Prof Moore Dickerson to provide training material as well as computers for the centre.
The Mayor gave the Prof Moore Dickerson the honour to become a citizen of Douala V and said she should also know that wherever she goes she is an ambassador of Douala V. She said her guest of honour has visited them at a time when they are preparing towards the twin elections to take place in July. She claimed they work hard in the council to meet the needs of the population reason why she claims they always emerge as winners in the elections.
Furthermore she said Cameroon is a peaceful country which is misperceived by the world. She insinuated that it is the best country in the continent of Africa. She talked about decentralisation which the government has put in place, democracy and the rights which she said the head of State has accorded to women by entrusting positions of responsibilities into their hands, citing herself as Mayor today.
Foning handed a calved key to Moore Dickerson as a symbol of her citizenship. The key she said gives her the right to come to Douala V at anytime even without permission from anybody.
On her part, Moore Dickerson thanked Foning and her team for the honour accorded her. “I recognise this honour is given not just to me, but to me and my nation” she said. Prof Moore Dickerson has been in Cameroon since May 25 on invitation by the American Embassy in Yaounde. She has also been to the Buea University among other places. She handed some copies of some books to the council Library. After the ceremony she went round visiting the projects of the council, and the entire council.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Claire Moore Dickerson, Professor of Law in the Rutgers School of Law, Newwark, USA, visited the Douala V council on invitation by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Douala V council, François Foning. In a welcome address by Mme Foning, she presented the council area to the professor, as a place to visit. She said her council area has a population of about a million inhabitants, a council of 35 members. She added that the council has a duty to ameliorate the living conditions of the population of Douala V. She went on enumerating some of the difficulties faced in the council area which they have to combat such as the alleviation of poverty, unemployment of the youths, protection of the environment, the fight against epidemics and diseases, underemployment, among others.
Foning continued that the council area is cosmopolitan. She called on her guest to use her position to liaise the council with some universities in the United States so that the youths could have opportunities to study in some of the universities in the USA.
She went on to enumerate the things the council has done so far. The council has built a health centre, constructed a road around Makepe, and opened a centre for internships for youths. She added that training is done in English giving that Cameroon is a bilingual Country. She solicited the help of Prof Moore Dickerson to provide training material as well as computers for the centre.
The Mayor gave the Prof Moore Dickerson the honour to become a citizen of Douala V and said she should also know that wherever she goes she is an ambassador of Douala V. She said her guest of honour has visited them at a time when they are preparing towards the twin elections to take place in July. She claimed they work hard in the council to meet the needs of the population reason why she claims they always emerge as winners in the elections.
Furthermore she said Cameroon is a peaceful country which is misperceived by the world. She insinuated that it is the best country in the continent of Africa. She talked about decentralisation which the government has put in place, democracy and the rights which she said the head of State has accorded to women by entrusting positions of responsibilities into their hands, citing herself as Mayor today.
Foning handed a calved key to Moore Dickerson as a symbol of her citizenship. The key she said gives her the right to come to Douala V at anytime even without permission from anybody.
On her part, Moore Dickerson thanked Foning and her team for the honour accorded her. “I recognise this honour is given not just to me, but to me and my nation” she said. Prof Moore Dickerson has been in Cameroon since May 25 on invitation by the American Embassy in Yaounde. She has also been to the Buea University among other places. She handed some copies of some books to the council Library. After the ceremony she went round visiting the projects of the council, and the entire council.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Mungo Bridge: Aftermath of New Bridge
Before the Mungo Bridge collapsed three years ago, the Wulango area had been a quiet place with few inhabitants around the river Mungo. The only bust activity was the digging of sand of many buyers came from the Southwest and Littoral to buy. After the bridge collapsed, the young men who were involved in sand digging used their initiative to get people cross over from one end to the other through the canoe which became the one thing to do for some time before the pontoon bridge was placed over the river. Because of the population that used to be around that vicinity, some swift business persons quickly installed restaurants and bars around the area. Sometimes people who were afraid to cross the river through a canoe would get into the bar, drink a bottle of bear in the name of gathering courage to cross the river in a canoe. The place became a big and busy area. Business was booming. Police posts were placed at the two ends of the pontoon bridge. Truly these police officers made plenty of money from drivers who drove “clandos” to the southwest and other places. No vehicle could cross the pontoon without being inspected by the police officers. When the construction of the new bridge started, the population around that area increased. Business persons had many customers. The sand diggers and the workers of Six International Construction Company during break would buy food from the restaurants and drinks.
It is now few weeks after the inauguration of the new bridge, business in the Wulannga quarters is in a slum. The water level has increased and the number of sand diggers has dropped, Six International workers are almost through with their activities, though their machines are still in place. The engineer in charge of the construction work said they have finished except for the planting of grass on the walls on the bridge and creation of gutters so that rain water does not remain on the bridge. The rest of the material left he said they also want to hand it to the administration. In a couple of days the work will be through and the workers will all return to their areas Talking to Didier Zamah who sells food and drinks with his mother Esther Zamah, he said for now they cannot really evaluate the business in that area though they now have limited customers, but are giving one month to see how business will look like. Didier and his mother had moved to that area after the collapse of the bridge because business was moving well. They have even made their home there. “We have not started feeling the impact of the new bridge in our business. Maybe when the Six International Workers will finally go away then we shall feel the impact.” For now the sand boys eat al the times from morning to evening. In spite of it he said they do not have any intention to return to Bonaberi where they came from.
Rose Ndobo, sells in a store around the area, she joined her brother after the collapse of the bridge. The brother does fast food while she cooks heavy meal. “Our principal customers are the sand diggers and company workers .I really do not have the intention to return because we are already established here”, she said. He has been selling Soya in the area even before the bridge collapsed. Senawa Kabala said “I am stuck to this place; this is my home I have been here and will always be here. Though I don’t stay here, my source of livelihood is here”.
Esther Zamah said she cannot leave the area, though they do not have schools and water. She said the area has gained population and would wish that at least a primary school be created in the area for their children. They go right to Douala or Bekoko to buy water to drink and they also use the river Mungo.
The police post are still in the place, though their rate of bribery has dropped. It was insinuated that they suspected the first collapse of the bridge was intentional so they have to watch over against any such acts
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
It is now few weeks after the inauguration of the new bridge, business in the Wulannga quarters is in a slum. The water level has increased and the number of sand diggers has dropped, Six International workers are almost through with their activities, though their machines are still in place. The engineer in charge of the construction work said they have finished except for the planting of grass on the walls on the bridge and creation of gutters so that rain water does not remain on the bridge. The rest of the material left he said they also want to hand it to the administration. In a couple of days the work will be through and the workers will all return to their areas Talking to Didier Zamah who sells food and drinks with his mother Esther Zamah, he said for now they cannot really evaluate the business in that area though they now have limited customers, but are giving one month to see how business will look like. Didier and his mother had moved to that area after the collapse of the bridge because business was moving well. They have even made their home there. “We have not started feeling the impact of the new bridge in our business. Maybe when the Six International Workers will finally go away then we shall feel the impact.” For now the sand boys eat al the times from morning to evening. In spite of it he said they do not have any intention to return to Bonaberi where they came from.
Rose Ndobo, sells in a store around the area, she joined her brother after the collapse of the bridge. The brother does fast food while she cooks heavy meal. “Our principal customers are the sand diggers and company workers .I really do not have the intention to return because we are already established here”, she said. He has been selling Soya in the area even before the bridge collapsed. Senawa Kabala said “I am stuck to this place; this is my home I have been here and will always be here. Though I don’t stay here, my source of livelihood is here”.
Esther Zamah said she cannot leave the area, though they do not have schools and water. She said the area has gained population and would wish that at least a primary school be created in the area for their children. They go right to Douala or Bekoko to buy water to drink and they also use the river Mungo.
The police post are still in the place, though their rate of bribery has dropped. It was insinuated that they suspected the first collapse of the bridge was intentional so they have to watch over against any such acts
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
A Place for Second-hand Clothes
The principal aspect in the Nkololun Market is the sale of second-hand clothes
Douala has so many markets in almost every neighbourhood there exist a market either constructed by the Douala City Council or by the population. Among the main markets in Douala is the Nkololun market. This market is a very old market constructed in the 90s.It is situated at nouvelle route kilometre 5. When the Douala central market was constructed, most of the traders who used to be at Nkololun moved to the constructed market. When it got saturated, those who did not have shops or spaced moved back to Nkololun market.
Talking to Foube Samuel, who is president of the Nkololun Market he said the government gave them authorisation around 1998 to construct the market. By this authorisation, he said the traders contributed money and they build some shops bring the market to the modern standard. Like any other market food stuffs are sold in Nkololun, cosmetics, but the principal is second-hand clothes which are sold. The president said many people come to Nkololun to buy second hand clothes in bulk to sell in other places. He said they do sell in bulk and also in retail. As for the prices he said they are sold at a cheaper rate. He went further to state that in the past there used to be a lot of delinquency, banditry in the market. People’s bags, chains, ear rings and watches used to be snatched in the market, but they formed a group, Amicale de sauverters et commerçants de Douala II (AMSACO) was put in place to fight these ills and to bring all the traders together. The association is a police to the traders. The group also checks payment of taxes by the traders, keeping the market clean.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Douala has so many markets in almost every neighbourhood there exist a market either constructed by the Douala City Council or by the population. Among the main markets in Douala is the Nkololun market. This market is a very old market constructed in the 90s.It is situated at nouvelle route kilometre 5. When the Douala central market was constructed, most of the traders who used to be at Nkololun moved to the constructed market. When it got saturated, those who did not have shops or spaced moved back to Nkololun market.
Talking to Foube Samuel, who is president of the Nkololun Market he said the government gave them authorisation around 1998 to construct the market. By this authorisation, he said the traders contributed money and they build some shops bring the market to the modern standard. Like any other market food stuffs are sold in Nkololun, cosmetics, but the principal is second-hand clothes which are sold. The president said many people come to Nkololun to buy second hand clothes in bulk to sell in other places. He said they do sell in bulk and also in retail. As for the prices he said they are sold at a cheaper rate. He went further to state that in the past there used to be a lot of delinquency, banditry in the market. People’s bags, chains, ear rings and watches used to be snatched in the market, but they formed a group, Amicale de sauverters et commerçants de Douala II (AMSACO) was put in place to fight these ills and to bring all the traders together. The association is a police to the traders. The group also checks payment of taxes by the traders, keeping the market clean.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Youpwe Fish Market: A World of its Own
Thousands of traders, fishermen, retailers and buyers flock here daily for business.
Youpwe is now a household name in Douala and beyond. It has become popular because customers can find variety of fishes. There are fishes of all sizes. The Youpwe fish market offers bar, bossu, tilapia, marchiron, among others. Some fishermen even succeed to return from the sea with hippopotamus flesh. This is also sold in Youpwe.
Youpwe is a teeming market of one or two products only. The fish is fresh unlike what obtains in some markets. They are not stale or kept long in the fridges and sold in cold stores. Traders here do not need cold stores because they sell regularly and one could find fish at all times. Traders however use ice blocks to conserve the fishes for short periods.
Those who are interested in smoked fish can also be served. In the market in Youpwe both fresh and smoked fish are sold. As early as 5:00am the market is already booming and cars are lined up by people who want to buy fish. At this moment or a little earlier, the fishermen will be returning from the sea. People who want to buy and hawk in the Youpwe market are also lined up as well as individuals from Douala and around. Some hotels in Cameroon also buy from the Youpwe market as well as some other big restaurants and their agents get there by 3:00am queuing and waiting to start buying as the fishermen return from the sea .Some of the hawkers buy and go right to town around offices at about 7:00am to seek customers.
The market in Youpwe can be compared to a village market which has a special day which nobody can afford to be absent. This is because of the crowd that comes in to either sell or to buy. The busiest day is Saturday which gives workers the opportunity to go to the market since they can not make it within the week.
There are so many people that it is difficult to walk around in the market. As the crowd gets larger, thieves also sneak in. There are other activities which take place in the market. But in the early hours it is the fresh fish and smoked fish market which is on and the other market activities like selling of second hand clothes, cosmetics, call box, fish roasting begin by 7:00am.
The history of the Youpwe fish market dates back to about more than thirty years. The market was divided into many sectors. Fresh fish, smoked fish, shops, ice sector, maritime transport, scaling sector, fishermen sector which all have leaders controlling the sector. The icing sector produces ice which is sold to fishermen and fish sellers. The fisher men buy ice and put in old refrigerators and take their canoes into the sea.
When they get there, they meet fishermen from Nigeria who have already gone into the high sea and fished. They buy and store in their old refrigerators in which they have packed ice and they make their way back to the shores. The fish sellers too buy ice and parcel fish for the buyer in order to preserve it until his destination.
As regards maritime transport, there are people who have canoes or boats using engines. A place like Manouka can be reached only by water, CAP Cameroon, Poka, can only be reached by sea.
Some people hang around the area to carry out this transportation activity. In the scaling sector, there are people who do the job of removing scales from the fish of customers who may not want to go through that task at home. Fish loaders also have their sector. They unload the canoes of fisher men when they return from the sea. This is the same with the smoked fish market which is also active at 5:00 am. Clients come from all parts of the country. In a chat with the president of all the markets in Youpwe, M.Nkembe Pozell Andre, he said they are facing a grave problem. He predicted that in five years the market would be none existent as a result of the fishing methods. This as is due to the presence of large boats of business man who has invaded the fishing sector. He said they have also employed only Chinese to do the fishing. It is alleged they catch even the young fishes. When they discover that they are too young they throw them back into the water. Unfortunately, he added, they are usually dead. This frightens the rest of the fishes and causes them to escape far into the deep seas. He also complained that fishing is done by Nigerians, Ghanaians, and three quarter of the smoked fish market is controlled by these nationals. Cameroonian fisher men he said are not skillful and do not have the means; reason why he said they only do the buying to come back and sell here. The bulk of the fish he said is sent to Nigeria and Ghana and only a small part is sold in Cameroon though the fishing is done in Cameroonian waters.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Youpwe is now a household name in Douala and beyond. It has become popular because customers can find variety of fishes. There are fishes of all sizes. The Youpwe fish market offers bar, bossu, tilapia, marchiron, among others. Some fishermen even succeed to return from the sea with hippopotamus flesh. This is also sold in Youpwe.
Youpwe is a teeming market of one or two products only. The fish is fresh unlike what obtains in some markets. They are not stale or kept long in the fridges and sold in cold stores. Traders here do not need cold stores because they sell regularly and one could find fish at all times. Traders however use ice blocks to conserve the fishes for short periods.
Those who are interested in smoked fish can also be served. In the market in Youpwe both fresh and smoked fish are sold. As early as 5:00am the market is already booming and cars are lined up by people who want to buy fish. At this moment or a little earlier, the fishermen will be returning from the sea. People who want to buy and hawk in the Youpwe market are also lined up as well as individuals from Douala and around. Some hotels in Cameroon also buy from the Youpwe market as well as some other big restaurants and their agents get there by 3:00am queuing and waiting to start buying as the fishermen return from the sea .Some of the hawkers buy and go right to town around offices at about 7:00am to seek customers.
The market in Youpwe can be compared to a village market which has a special day which nobody can afford to be absent. This is because of the crowd that comes in to either sell or to buy. The busiest day is Saturday which gives workers the opportunity to go to the market since they can not make it within the week.
There are so many people that it is difficult to walk around in the market. As the crowd gets larger, thieves also sneak in. There are other activities which take place in the market. But in the early hours it is the fresh fish and smoked fish market which is on and the other market activities like selling of second hand clothes, cosmetics, call box, fish roasting begin by 7:00am.
The history of the Youpwe fish market dates back to about more than thirty years. The market was divided into many sectors. Fresh fish, smoked fish, shops, ice sector, maritime transport, scaling sector, fishermen sector which all have leaders controlling the sector. The icing sector produces ice which is sold to fishermen and fish sellers. The fisher men buy ice and put in old refrigerators and take their canoes into the sea.
When they get there, they meet fishermen from Nigeria who have already gone into the high sea and fished. They buy and store in their old refrigerators in which they have packed ice and they make their way back to the shores. The fish sellers too buy ice and parcel fish for the buyer in order to preserve it until his destination.
As regards maritime transport, there are people who have canoes or boats using engines. A place like Manouka can be reached only by water, CAP Cameroon, Poka, can only be reached by sea.
Some people hang around the area to carry out this transportation activity. In the scaling sector, there are people who do the job of removing scales from the fish of customers who may not want to go through that task at home. Fish loaders also have their sector. They unload the canoes of fisher men when they return from the sea. This is the same with the smoked fish market which is also active at 5:00 am. Clients come from all parts of the country. In a chat with the president of all the markets in Youpwe, M.Nkembe Pozell Andre, he said they are facing a grave problem. He predicted that in five years the market would be none existent as a result of the fishing methods. This as is due to the presence of large boats of business man who has invaded the fishing sector. He said they have also employed only Chinese to do the fishing. It is alleged they catch even the young fishes. When they discover that they are too young they throw them back into the water. Unfortunately, he added, they are usually dead. This frightens the rest of the fishes and causes them to escape far into the deep seas. He also complained that fishing is done by Nigerians, Ghanaians, and three quarter of the smoked fish market is controlled by these nationals. Cameroonian fisher men he said are not skillful and do not have the means; reason why he said they only do the buying to come back and sell here. The bulk of the fish he said is sent to Nigeria and Ghana and only a small part is sold in Cameroon though the fishing is done in Cameroonian waters.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Training on better Environmental preservation
The seminar in its second edition was organised to train actors on environmental norms.
A three-day seminar has taken place in Douala organised by the International Organisation for the Protection of the Environment in Central Africa, Enviro-Protect. The seminar with the theme: Environmental Norms Applicable in Cameroon took place at Bano palace in Akwa, Douala. The seminar organisers stressed that in every sector environmental norms are involved and if company operators can respect these norms it will go a long way to reduce the risk of environment degradation. According to the seminar organisers the preoccupation of the environment is insubstantial and many times in some areas environmental norms are not understood and so they are not respected. This is what according to them exposes the different actors of the environment to environmental degradation.
The specific objective of the seminar is to train participants on the methodology to elaborate the environmental norms, understand the relevance of the norms and to learn the regulation of the environmental norms applicable in Cameroon. The seminar participants included workers of companies, enterprises, delegations, the Douala City Council, NGOs, professional organisations and all concerned about pollution in Douala.
During the seminar issues were handled on environmental management, comparison between norms of products and environmental norms, norms of environmental management in the enterprises, norms of soil and water management.
Talking to the president of Enviro-Protect, Dr Tiani Kéou François he outlined some of the norms, which included norms of pollution, management of corporations, natural resources. He stated three categories of norms, environmental, economic and social norms. The one which concerns enterprises, he said is social and economic norms. Finally, he called on all to understand what these norms are because according to him, the environment cannot be preserved without people knowing what environmental norms are. He said they plan to send out booklets on these norms applicable in Cameroon.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
A three-day seminar has taken place in Douala organised by the International Organisation for the Protection of the Environment in Central Africa, Enviro-Protect. The seminar with the theme: Environmental Norms Applicable in Cameroon took place at Bano palace in Akwa, Douala. The seminar organisers stressed that in every sector environmental norms are involved and if company operators can respect these norms it will go a long way to reduce the risk of environment degradation. According to the seminar organisers the preoccupation of the environment is insubstantial and many times in some areas environmental norms are not understood and so they are not respected. This is what according to them exposes the different actors of the environment to environmental degradation.
The specific objective of the seminar is to train participants on the methodology to elaborate the environmental norms, understand the relevance of the norms and to learn the regulation of the environmental norms applicable in Cameroon. The seminar participants included workers of companies, enterprises, delegations, the Douala City Council, NGOs, professional organisations and all concerned about pollution in Douala.
During the seminar issues were handled on environmental management, comparison between norms of products and environmental norms, norms of environmental management in the enterprises, norms of soil and water management.
Talking to the president of Enviro-Protect, Dr Tiani Kéou François he outlined some of the norms, which included norms of pollution, management of corporations, natural resources. He stated three categories of norms, environmental, economic and social norms. The one which concerns enterprises, he said is social and economic norms. Finally, he called on all to understand what these norms are because according to him, the environment cannot be preserved without people knowing what environmental norms are. He said they plan to send out booklets on these norms applicable in Cameroon.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Ndokoti Train Station : a bedroom for Market Women
The train station in Ndokoti is used by most buyam-sellams in the night as an auberge.
Most of the buyam-sellams especially those who do not come from around that area to sell are forced to spend the night around the area especially when they do not succeed to sell all the food stuff. In a chat with an official at the train station he said there is plenty of aggression in Ndokoti in the night such that these women seek for a secured place to pass the night. He said they need a place where the rest of their food stuff would be protected as well as the money they have made. According to the official, the train station which is also located in the market area is the most secured place for them because it is protected by the police at all times, and it would be difficult for the women to be attacked by thieves. Another reason he advanced, is that the women do not have money to pay for a night at an auberge. According to one of the buyam sellams, whose name CT got as Ernestine, the market women she said do not sleep at the train station because they lack a place to sleep. But according to her it is because the train does not have a specific time when it arrives at the station in Ndokoti and they have to wait for the other women who are coming with food stuff to sell to them who have to arrive by train. She said sometimes the train arrives by 3:00 am and they engage in a serious market at that hour in order to sell in the market later that morning.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Most of the buyam-sellams especially those who do not come from around that area to sell are forced to spend the night around the area especially when they do not succeed to sell all the food stuff. In a chat with an official at the train station he said there is plenty of aggression in Ndokoti in the night such that these women seek for a secured place to pass the night. He said they need a place where the rest of their food stuff would be protected as well as the money they have made. According to the official, the train station which is also located in the market area is the most secured place for them because it is protected by the police at all times, and it would be difficult for the women to be attacked by thieves. Another reason he advanced, is that the women do not have money to pay for a night at an auberge. According to one of the buyam sellams, whose name CT got as Ernestine, the market women she said do not sleep at the train station because they lack a place to sleep. But according to her it is because the train does not have a specific time when it arrives at the station in Ndokoti and they have to wait for the other women who are coming with food stuff to sell to them who have to arrive by train. She said sometimes the train arrives by 3:00 am and they engage in a serious market at that hour in order to sell in the market later that morning.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Farmers Predict Poor Productivity
There is shortage of Fertilizer which farmers believe will cost a drop in the next harvest season.
Farmers in Douala have predicted poor production of crops in the next season because of shortage of fertilizer in the market. The farmers have decried fertilizer has become very expensive and the little quantity sold is not enough for their farms. They said if nothing is done about this then there will be food shortage in the months ahead.
In a chat with an official in the delegation of Agriculture, he said this shortage is a real problem which has to be ameliorated on the side of the suppliers of fertilizer. He said they see the plight of their farmers and have encouraged them to use natural manure. It is not also easy he said for them to have the quantity available for their farms. The official said it is not only farmers who deal with food crop who are in this difficulty. This also includes those dealing with cash crops. Talking to the director of Bio Fertilizer Industry, Mbaya Jean, he said there are two types of fertilizers used, the liquid and the solid types of fertilizers. The solid type is what farmers are used to and that is the type which has become expensive and scarce. According to him it is scarce because the cost of importation has increased, taxes have increased. He also said because of the many intermediaries between the importer and the users the cost is borne by the farmers. He said the importer gives to distributors who give to field workers who deal with the farmers. He added that in the 90s, a bag of fertilizer used to cost about 7,000CFA but nowadays a bag costs 18,000CFA.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Farmers in Douala have predicted poor production of crops in the next season because of shortage of fertilizer in the market. The farmers have decried fertilizer has become very expensive and the little quantity sold is not enough for their farms. They said if nothing is done about this then there will be food shortage in the months ahead.
In a chat with an official in the delegation of Agriculture, he said this shortage is a real problem which has to be ameliorated on the side of the suppliers of fertilizer. He said they see the plight of their farmers and have encouraged them to use natural manure. It is not also easy he said for them to have the quantity available for their farms. The official said it is not only farmers who deal with food crop who are in this difficulty. This also includes those dealing with cash crops. Talking to the director of Bio Fertilizer Industry, Mbaya Jean, he said there are two types of fertilizers used, the liquid and the solid types of fertilizers. The solid type is what farmers are used to and that is the type which has become expensive and scarce. According to him it is scarce because the cost of importation has increased, taxes have increased. He also said because of the many intermediaries between the importer and the users the cost is borne by the farmers. He said the importer gives to distributors who give to field workers who deal with the farmers. He added that in the 90s, a bag of fertilizer used to cost about 7,000CFA but nowadays a bag costs 18,000CFA.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Farmers Predict Poor Productivity
There is shortage of Fertilizer which farmers believe will cost a drop in the next harvest season.
Farmers in Douala have predicted poor production of crops in the next season because of shortage of fertilizer in the market. The farmers have decried fertilizer has become very expensive and the little quantity sold is not enough for their farms. They said if nothing is done about this then there will be food shortage in the months ahead.
In a chat with an official in the delegation of Agriculture, he said this shortage is a real problem which has to be ameliorated on the side of the suppliers of fertilizer. He said they see the plight of their farmers and have encouraged them to use natural manure. It is not also easy he said for them to have the quantity available for their farms. The official said it is not only farmers who deal with food crop who are in this difficulty. This also includes those dealing with cash crops. Talking to the director of Bio Fertilizer Industry, Mbaya Jean, he said there are two types of fertilizers used, the liquid and the solid types of fertilizers. The solid type is what farmers are used to and that is the type which has become expensive and scarce. According to him it is scarce because the cost of importation has increased, taxes have increased. He also said because of the many intermediaries between the importer and the users the cost is borne by the farmers. He said the importer gives to distributors who give to field workers who deal with the farmers. He added that in the 90s, a bag of fertilizer used to cost about 7,000CFA but nowadays a bag costs 18,000CFA.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Farmers in Douala have predicted poor production of crops in the next season because of shortage of fertilizer in the market. The farmers have decried fertilizer has become very expensive and the little quantity sold is not enough for their farms. They said if nothing is done about this then there will be food shortage in the months ahead.
In a chat with an official in the delegation of Agriculture, he said this shortage is a real problem which has to be ameliorated on the side of the suppliers of fertilizer. He said they see the plight of their farmers and have encouraged them to use natural manure. It is not also easy he said for them to have the quantity available for their farms. The official said it is not only farmers who deal with food crop who are in this difficulty. This also includes those dealing with cash crops. Talking to the director of Bio Fertilizer Industry, Mbaya Jean, he said there are two types of fertilizers used, the liquid and the solid types of fertilizers. The solid type is what farmers are used to and that is the type which has become expensive and scarce. According to him it is scarce because the cost of importation has increased, taxes have increased. He also said because of the many intermediaries between the importer and the users the cost is borne by the farmers. He said the importer gives to distributors who give to field workers who deal with the farmers. He added that in the 90s, a bag of fertilizer used to cost about 7,000CFA but nowadays a bag costs 18,000CFA.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Traffic in Bonaberi: A Nightmare
Road repair has increased traffic on the road between Round point Deido and Bonaberi.
Bonaberi is a neighbourhood which is noted in Douala to have a lot of traffic congestion. The roads in Bonaberi are not only bumpy and full of pot holes but trucks; Lorries and big buses use the road sides as parking spots causing traffic on the road. It is usually terrible in the mornings by 7:00 am and in the evenings from 4:00pm when inhabitants of Bonaberi are moving to town and when they return. There are many People who have to leave Bonaberi to their jobsites in Bonanjo or Akwa. Besides, Bonaberi is the gate way to and fro Douala from the south of Douala. Travellers to the West and North West Provinces pass through Bonaberi.
Since last weekend, there has been some construction carried on the road just around the Bonaberi Bridge. This has caused movements to and out of Bonaberi to be very slow. People who reside in Bonaberi and work in town could not get taxis to go back home from, work easily because every taxi driver evaded the traffic. There were so many passengers around round point Deido waiting for taxis. The only saviour in times like this is using motorbikes which are not safe because they want to rush and make fast money and in this case the drivers are not alert and can easily fall preys to accidents. On the other hand, vehicles best known as “clandos” had established their park in round point Diedo for passengers going to the Southwest. They were all in the traffic, waiting for their turn to cross over. It took one hour for a car to move from round point Deido before reaching the Bonaberi Bridge. It took another hour to cross the bridge. Travellers out of Douala and others into Douala were tied down in their cars for hours. A traveller complained he has been in the car for four hours from Camrail Bonaberi and the car had not even reached the bridge.
During the day as from 10:00am to about 1:00pm the road gets free because rush hour has passed and there are few buses or cars going out of town. But the heat begins from 4:00pm which is rush hour to get back home and most transport vehicles are getting into town. The situation at times get worst that in the process of rushing cars can collide and it is a whole lot of trouble because they have blocked the way for the other cars to pass.
It is not yet known for how long this work will continue because it would do much good to reduce the state of traffic congestion around the bridge and right to Bonaberi.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Bonaberi is a neighbourhood which is noted in Douala to have a lot of traffic congestion. The roads in Bonaberi are not only bumpy and full of pot holes but trucks; Lorries and big buses use the road sides as parking spots causing traffic on the road. It is usually terrible in the mornings by 7:00 am and in the evenings from 4:00pm when inhabitants of Bonaberi are moving to town and when they return. There are many People who have to leave Bonaberi to their jobsites in Bonanjo or Akwa. Besides, Bonaberi is the gate way to and fro Douala from the south of Douala. Travellers to the West and North West Provinces pass through Bonaberi.
Since last weekend, there has been some construction carried on the road just around the Bonaberi Bridge. This has caused movements to and out of Bonaberi to be very slow. People who reside in Bonaberi and work in town could not get taxis to go back home from, work easily because every taxi driver evaded the traffic. There were so many passengers around round point Deido waiting for taxis. The only saviour in times like this is using motorbikes which are not safe because they want to rush and make fast money and in this case the drivers are not alert and can easily fall preys to accidents. On the other hand, vehicles best known as “clandos” had established their park in round point Diedo for passengers going to the Southwest. They were all in the traffic, waiting for their turn to cross over. It took one hour for a car to move from round point Deido before reaching the Bonaberi Bridge. It took another hour to cross the bridge. Travellers out of Douala and others into Douala were tied down in their cars for hours. A traveller complained he has been in the car for four hours from Camrail Bonaberi and the car had not even reached the bridge.
During the day as from 10:00am to about 1:00pm the road gets free because rush hour has passed and there are few buses or cars going out of town. But the heat begins from 4:00pm which is rush hour to get back home and most transport vehicles are getting into town. The situation at times get worst that in the process of rushing cars can collide and it is a whole lot of trouble because they have blocked the way for the other cars to pass.
It is not yet known for how long this work will continue because it would do much good to reduce the state of traffic congestion around the bridge and right to Bonaberi.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Sand Extraction : lucrative but Risky
Some deep sea divers who extract sand from the Wouri estuary have lost their lives while at work.
Local building material extraction business is booming in Douala especially sand from the Wouri River as its estuary offers the best opportunity for the business. In fact, much of the sand that has been used in building the city comes from the depths of the river.
There are about three different points where sand is being dug and sold. These include Bagnia in Akwa Nord, Village and at the Wouri Bridge. Mr. Djoh Mouelle Martin, who is the chief of the sand river bed in Akwa Nord, known as Carrier Bonamoung, said it is over 40 years since the sand extraction business started in that area. He said they extract three qualities. The white sand commonly called soft sand, the brown sand commonly called sharp sand, and gravel. The risky albeit profitable extraction business is well organized. The workers consist of the chief of the Carriére, deep sea divers who scoop the sand from the river bed and loaders who have to fill the trucks when it is bought. He added that when the deep sea divers go out to the sea for the exercise they may only return after three or four hours. Sand from one canoe can fill a small truck. The divers are paid 7,000 CFA per canoe load. Meanwhile, at the extraction site along the banks of the river they sell a trip of soft sand at 10,000CFA for a small truck and 20,000 FRS for a big one. The sharp sand is worth 11,000 CFA for a small truck and 25,000CFA for a big one. Gravel is sold at 20,000CFA for a small truck and 45,000CFA for a big one. The loaders are paid 3,000CFA per big truck and 1,000 per small truck for the sand and 4,000 CFA for a big truck and 2000CFA for a small truck of gravel.
The chief of Carrière said the minimum profit per canoe is about 3,000CFA.He said that during the rainy season the business is difficult and most risky, and demand is low.
Talking about the risk it involves, he added that two months ago they lost two of their workers who went to the high sea for the business. He added that the canoe is usually heavily loaded and the can capsize. If they are not good swimmers they may die. Swimming, he said is the most important criterion for recruiting divers and the sum of 5,000CFA and 3,000CFA for loaders.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Local building material extraction business is booming in Douala especially sand from the Wouri River as its estuary offers the best opportunity for the business. In fact, much of the sand that has been used in building the city comes from the depths of the river.
There are about three different points where sand is being dug and sold. These include Bagnia in Akwa Nord, Village and at the Wouri Bridge. Mr. Djoh Mouelle Martin, who is the chief of the sand river bed in Akwa Nord, known as Carrier Bonamoung, said it is over 40 years since the sand extraction business started in that area. He said they extract three qualities. The white sand commonly called soft sand, the brown sand commonly called sharp sand, and gravel. The risky albeit profitable extraction business is well organized. The workers consist of the chief of the Carriére, deep sea divers who scoop the sand from the river bed and loaders who have to fill the trucks when it is bought. He added that when the deep sea divers go out to the sea for the exercise they may only return after three or four hours. Sand from one canoe can fill a small truck. The divers are paid 7,000 CFA per canoe load. Meanwhile, at the extraction site along the banks of the river they sell a trip of soft sand at 10,000CFA for a small truck and 20,000 FRS for a big one. The sharp sand is worth 11,000 CFA for a small truck and 25,000CFA for a big one. Gravel is sold at 20,000CFA for a small truck and 45,000CFA for a big one. The loaders are paid 3,000CFA per big truck and 1,000 per small truck for the sand and 4,000 CFA for a big truck and 2000CFA for a small truck of gravel.
The chief of Carrière said the minimum profit per canoe is about 3,000CFA.He said that during the rainy season the business is difficult and most risky, and demand is low.
Talking about the risk it involves, he added that two months ago they lost two of their workers who went to the high sea for the business. He added that the canoe is usually heavily loaded and the can capsize. If they are not good swimmers they may die. Swimming, he said is the most important criterion for recruiting divers and the sum of 5,000CFA and 3,000CFA for loaders.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Pentecostal Churches: Public Nuisance?
Some people see Pentecostal churches as a source of discomfort in their neighbourhoods.
Since most of these churches which shoot up like mushrooms in our towns are found in the neighbourhoods, many people who live in such areas consider them the greatest discomfort. They complain that they pray aloud at night, sing playing drums. Since it is at night the sound goes very far. These causes discomfort and disturb those who are asleep.
An inhabitant in Ngangue, Nganjeu Moise, whose house is sandwiched by two of the so- called “crying churches”, said he hardly sleeps for a week peacefully because the church members are always in church, especially in the night. It is worst he said during nights of ‘night tarry’. “It will require you also tarry with them because the noise will be too loud and you will be unable to sleep”, he complained bitterly.
Other inhabitants also said one big aspect is that they sit in their houses to relax and all of a sudden you get a knock on the door and it is one of these church people who have come to evangelise. “This is very common with the Jehovah witnesses and they even force you to buy their books” said Elizabeth Muma. She said sometimes she comes back from work, rushes home to get some rest, but you cannot because these people are in church. “I wonder when they have time to do their own private activities». If they are not there she added then it is someone else who comes to evangelise to you telling you that you are a sinner. “I hate this because they condemn other churches”.
Others we talked to complained that the churches are not only a nuisance in noise making but they cause problems among couples. A wife might be lonely and decides to go and visit the church in her neighbourhood. Suddenly the husband discovers she is a member and since he is not in agreement with her being there, a quarrel erupts. She starts seeing him like the devil, a young man added. “The worst is that if you want to complain about the noise at night they conclude you are the witch or wizard in the neighbourhood”, said he.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Since most of these churches which shoot up like mushrooms in our towns are found in the neighbourhoods, many people who live in such areas consider them the greatest discomfort. They complain that they pray aloud at night, sing playing drums. Since it is at night the sound goes very far. These causes discomfort and disturb those who are asleep.
An inhabitant in Ngangue, Nganjeu Moise, whose house is sandwiched by two of the so- called “crying churches”, said he hardly sleeps for a week peacefully because the church members are always in church, especially in the night. It is worst he said during nights of ‘night tarry’. “It will require you also tarry with them because the noise will be too loud and you will be unable to sleep”, he complained bitterly.
Other inhabitants also said one big aspect is that they sit in their houses to relax and all of a sudden you get a knock on the door and it is one of these church people who have come to evangelise. “This is very common with the Jehovah witnesses and they even force you to buy their books” said Elizabeth Muma. She said sometimes she comes back from work, rushes home to get some rest, but you cannot because these people are in church. “I wonder when they have time to do their own private activities». If they are not there she added then it is someone else who comes to evangelise to you telling you that you are a sinner. “I hate this because they condemn other churches”.
Others we talked to complained that the churches are not only a nuisance in noise making but they cause problems among couples. A wife might be lonely and decides to go and visit the church in her neighbourhood. Suddenly the husband discovers she is a member and since he is not in agreement with her being there, a quarrel erupts. She starts seeing him like the devil, a young man added. “The worst is that if you want to complain about the noise at night they conclude you are the witch or wizard in the neighbourhood”, said he.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
First Female Delegate at the helm of Public Works
She was installed on October 11, in Douala
For the first time I the history of Cameroon, a woman has been made delegate of the Ministry of Public works. She was installed to her functions on October 11 at the Banquet Hall in the Governor’s office, Douala.
Madam Lobe neé Molle Patience Felicité is the first woman and engineer at the public service in Cameroon and also to be installed as Delegate.
During the installation ceremony, the Secretary General of Littoral, Ngelé Ngelé Felix said Mme Lobe is taking the helm at a time when the public service has got a lot of needs to develop road networks in the Littoral. He called on her to do her best so as to satisfy these needs.
Talking about carrying her duties, Lobe called on the contractors to work with her so that together they can meet the needs of the population. She promised to fight against corruption in the Public Works Ministry. She said she will fight against delay in the handling of their documents. Talking about her challenges which are enormous but the fact that her minister has entrusted this task into her hands, she believes it is because he knows she is up to the task.
She was born on the 12th of April. She has held several positions in the Ministry of Public works as chief of different services before finally becoming a Provincial Delegate. During the installation Ceremony, her colleagues who are also female delegates in other Ministries were present to encourage her.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
For the first time I the history of Cameroon, a woman has been made delegate of the Ministry of Public works. She was installed to her functions on October 11 at the Banquet Hall in the Governor’s office, Douala.
Madam Lobe neé Molle Patience Felicité is the first woman and engineer at the public service in Cameroon and also to be installed as Delegate.
During the installation ceremony, the Secretary General of Littoral, Ngelé Ngelé Felix said Mme Lobe is taking the helm at a time when the public service has got a lot of needs to develop road networks in the Littoral. He called on her to do her best so as to satisfy these needs.
Talking about carrying her duties, Lobe called on the contractors to work with her so that together they can meet the needs of the population. She promised to fight against corruption in the Public Works Ministry. She said she will fight against delay in the handling of their documents. Talking about her challenges which are enormous but the fact that her minister has entrusted this task into her hands, she believes it is because he knows she is up to the task.
She was born on the 12th of April. She has held several positions in the Ministry of Public works as chief of different services before finally becoming a Provincial Delegate. During the installation Ceremony, her colleagues who are also female delegates in other Ministries were present to encourage her.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Dangerous activities which Pose Problems to students
There are certain activities around school campuses which may act as a distraction to students
A school is a place for the formation of students. It could either make or mar a child depending on the kind of activities found around the school. This happens when care is not taken by the authorities of the school. There are certain secondary schools around the town which their area of location is not good, reason why one of the qualities of the administration is the school infrastructure. It is not good for a school to be situated where there are bars, cinema halls; hawkers who hawk whisky in sachets, cigarettes, game halls, toxic among others. These kinds of activities can influence the performance of students. Some recalcitrant students can easily lure their friends to such activities. Also peer pressure can push students such that when they go to school they do not go to class but hand around the campus, maybe in cinema halls or game houses or even in the bars taking alcoholic drinks.
In Lycée D’Akwa in Douala is found a bar opposite the school campus. The Principal of the school, Ibwama Emmanuel, in a chat with CT said he has taken measures to ensure that students do not find themselves in such places. He said he has his discipline masters and teachers who are always keen and they survey the students so that they do not dash to such places especially during break. Secondly the school campus is fenced and in no one incident are students allowed to get out of the school gate between 8:00 am they come to school and 4:00 pm when they go out, except for those who may be ill and have to go to the hospital. Besides, he said it is not accepted for such places to be opened around school campuses and the Lycée does not have the powers to close down such places, but the Divisional Officer. He said he plans to meet the DO and discuss the issue with him. It is the administration which gave the authorisation for such places to open up. He recounted an incident where a principal had a response as “do your job and leave that”.
Ibwama also said his action towards this is to punish any student caught in any of these activities or places, and also to sensitise the students on the dangers of such places.
An incident happened in Lycée just some days ago where some six students fell in a trance and it was said to have been the toxic centre from some tires which were burnt around the campus which had affected them. Such activities which could affect students as such should not be close to school campuses.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
A school is a place for the formation of students. It could either make or mar a child depending on the kind of activities found around the school. This happens when care is not taken by the authorities of the school. There are certain secondary schools around the town which their area of location is not good, reason why one of the qualities of the administration is the school infrastructure. It is not good for a school to be situated where there are bars, cinema halls; hawkers who hawk whisky in sachets, cigarettes, game halls, toxic among others. These kinds of activities can influence the performance of students. Some recalcitrant students can easily lure their friends to such activities. Also peer pressure can push students such that when they go to school they do not go to class but hand around the campus, maybe in cinema halls or game houses or even in the bars taking alcoholic drinks.
In Lycée D’Akwa in Douala is found a bar opposite the school campus. The Principal of the school, Ibwama Emmanuel, in a chat with CT said he has taken measures to ensure that students do not find themselves in such places. He said he has his discipline masters and teachers who are always keen and they survey the students so that they do not dash to such places especially during break. Secondly the school campus is fenced and in no one incident are students allowed to get out of the school gate between 8:00 am they come to school and 4:00 pm when they go out, except for those who may be ill and have to go to the hospital. Besides, he said it is not accepted for such places to be opened around school campuses and the Lycée does not have the powers to close down such places, but the Divisional Officer. He said he plans to meet the DO and discuss the issue with him. It is the administration which gave the authorisation for such places to open up. He recounted an incident where a principal had a response as “do your job and leave that”.
Ibwama also said his action towards this is to punish any student caught in any of these activities or places, and also to sensitise the students on the dangers of such places.
An incident happened in Lycée just some days ago where some six students fell in a trance and it was said to have been the toxic centre from some tires which were burnt around the campus which had affected them. Such activities which could affect students as such should not be close to school campuses.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Some Douala Streets Glitter but...
Some streets in Douala may look good and tarred but they are rough and bumpy.
A visitor driving into Douala from Yaounde may appreciate the state of the streets in Douala. He may appreciate the fact that the streets leading into the town all have some thin layer of tare. Such opinions are easily held by those who drive in through the airport end into the administrative neighbourhood; Bonanjo But the ride cannot be smooth. It is usually bumpy and sometimes dangerous.
A
s for a commuter coming in from the South of Douala the opinion is quite different. The poor state of the streets is evident and easily noticed. As regards road infrastructure the Bonaberi neighbourhood is one of the worst in Douala. Here, the potholes are strewn everywhere. The thin layer of tar can be seen in areas that are yet to be dug up by the tires of heavy trucks or washed away by rain water. Degradation caused by erosion or heavy traffic has uncovered several stretches of the streets exposing some bitter truth. The fact that most of the streets were only given a thin layer of tare on lose soil. Under the tar there are materials that cannot withstand the bad weather conditions and the heavy traffic. What many people appreciate is the tar which glitters.
In some neighbourhoods in Douala, the streets are simply unbearable both to the pedestrians and vehicle owners, because they are very bumpy with potholes everywhere and standing water in the potholes. In fact, whether it rains or not, water fills the holes. There are neighbourhoods like Bonaberi, Mabanda, Makepe, Ndokotti, and Rue de la Joie in Deido that require immediate attention. Another striking issue is that most of these streets were recently constructed or maintained.
The weather condition, poor maintenance and the heavy traffic make the life span of the streets very short. An example is one of the Makepe streets which have served for less than five years since it was constructed. But the road was said to have been constructed for small vehicles and certainly the material which was used in constructing it could only support small vehicles. But over the years, trucks and caterpillars with large tyres and weighing several tonnes have been plying on it causing degradation. Unfortunately these heavy duty vehicles could not be barred from using the roads. There was no alternative.
Another destructive element is water. Heavy rains easily erode the streets causing destruction. When roads are built without gutters, rain water flows on the surface and sinks into the little cracks on the road. These are the origins of large potholes. The development of these potholes is facilitated by the fact that certain parts of Douala are below sea level. Streets are built on some swampy areas. It is certain that such roads cannot last long.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
A visitor driving into Douala from Yaounde may appreciate the state of the streets in Douala. He may appreciate the fact that the streets leading into the town all have some thin layer of tare. Such opinions are easily held by those who drive in through the airport end into the administrative neighbourhood; Bonanjo But the ride cannot be smooth. It is usually bumpy and sometimes dangerous.
A
s for a commuter coming in from the South of Douala the opinion is quite different. The poor state of the streets is evident and easily noticed. As regards road infrastructure the Bonaberi neighbourhood is one of the worst in Douala. Here, the potholes are strewn everywhere. The thin layer of tar can be seen in areas that are yet to be dug up by the tires of heavy trucks or washed away by rain water. Degradation caused by erosion or heavy traffic has uncovered several stretches of the streets exposing some bitter truth. The fact that most of the streets were only given a thin layer of tare on lose soil. Under the tar there are materials that cannot withstand the bad weather conditions and the heavy traffic. What many people appreciate is the tar which glitters.
In some neighbourhoods in Douala, the streets are simply unbearable both to the pedestrians and vehicle owners, because they are very bumpy with potholes everywhere and standing water in the potholes. In fact, whether it rains or not, water fills the holes. There are neighbourhoods like Bonaberi, Mabanda, Makepe, Ndokotti, and Rue de la Joie in Deido that require immediate attention. Another striking issue is that most of these streets were recently constructed or maintained.
The weather condition, poor maintenance and the heavy traffic make the life span of the streets very short. An example is one of the Makepe streets which have served for less than five years since it was constructed. But the road was said to have been constructed for small vehicles and certainly the material which was used in constructing it could only support small vehicles. But over the years, trucks and caterpillars with large tyres and weighing several tonnes have been plying on it causing degradation. Unfortunately these heavy duty vehicles could not be barred from using the roads. There was no alternative.
Another destructive element is water. Heavy rains easily erode the streets causing destruction. When roads are built without gutters, rain water flows on the surface and sinks into the little cracks on the road. These are the origins of large potholes. The development of these potholes is facilitated by the fact that certain parts of Douala are below sea level. Streets are built on some swampy areas. It is certain that such roads cannot last long.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
New Churches Sprout in Town
New Churches Sprout in Town
Churches are now found in every nook and cranny in Douala like in other big towns.
In time immemorial, the Africans worshiped their ancestors or other strange gods. But colonialisation later came along with the Christian religion in Africa. It was the same trend in Cameroon when the Baptist Church first came to Cameroon. Later other Christian expressions such as the Catholics and the Presbyterians followed. These three were known to be the mainstream or nominal churches. A few years ago, things changed within the religious setting with the coming of the Pentecostals.
The Pentecostals are generally known to be noisier than the others and most people called them “the crying church”. There had names like The Apostolic church, Full Gospel Mission, Deeper Life, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, among others. Recently the congregations have increased in Douala and other big towns in the country that some secret societies have come in under the cover.
Most of the secret societies now claim that they are normal religions or Pentecostal churches too. Apart from these there are other types of churches. Their members put on white garments and walk bare feet, like the Olumba Olumba, some put on red garments and use red and yellow candles during their worship. There are some who put on a particular uniform each day. Churches have sprouted with funny names too in every little corner of the town. There are some streets which are named “Church Street” because of the large number of churches found along them.
Most of the cinema halls which used to attract many people in Douala have been transformed into churches and now occupied by their faithful. Out of the Pentecostal churches other branches arch out daily. Most of them organise their services either in classrooms after school hours or in people’s parlours, or in a room of a dilapidated building. Little is known about the churches. Yet many people do not bother to find out from the root.
For some time public opinion has it that these churches have defiled the normal norms of Christianity which according to them is to pray to God silently so that nobody but God alone hears. Another argument is that a church is a sacred place and the service has to be solemn. The public claims this is not so with the Pentecostal churches because they are very noisy and go to church too often. They have named members of most Pentecostal churches “born again Christians”.
According to a lady most people hide their laziness behind the banner of being born again. She said some of their members only sell scotched eggs around town because they will be dismissed for regular absences if they have to work in a big enterprise. The reason: they will always go to church several times a day, some of them, during work hours. They prefer to do small businesses to close and go to church at will. Until much light is shed on the Pentecostal churches, they will always be doubts and misunderstandings.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Churches are now found in every nook and cranny in Douala like in other big towns.
In time immemorial, the Africans worshiped their ancestors or other strange gods. But colonialisation later came along with the Christian religion in Africa. It was the same trend in Cameroon when the Baptist Church first came to Cameroon. Later other Christian expressions such as the Catholics and the Presbyterians followed. These three were known to be the mainstream or nominal churches. A few years ago, things changed within the religious setting with the coming of the Pentecostals.
The Pentecostals are generally known to be noisier than the others and most people called them “the crying church”. There had names like The Apostolic church, Full Gospel Mission, Deeper Life, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, among others. Recently the congregations have increased in Douala and other big towns in the country that some secret societies have come in under the cover.
Most of the secret societies now claim that they are normal religions or Pentecostal churches too. Apart from these there are other types of churches. Their members put on white garments and walk bare feet, like the Olumba Olumba, some put on red garments and use red and yellow candles during their worship. There are some who put on a particular uniform each day. Churches have sprouted with funny names too in every little corner of the town. There are some streets which are named “Church Street” because of the large number of churches found along them.
Most of the cinema halls which used to attract many people in Douala have been transformed into churches and now occupied by their faithful. Out of the Pentecostal churches other branches arch out daily. Most of them organise their services either in classrooms after school hours or in people’s parlours, or in a room of a dilapidated building. Little is known about the churches. Yet many people do not bother to find out from the root.
For some time public opinion has it that these churches have defiled the normal norms of Christianity which according to them is to pray to God silently so that nobody but God alone hears. Another argument is that a church is a sacred place and the service has to be solemn. The public claims this is not so with the Pentecostal churches because they are very noisy and go to church too often. They have named members of most Pentecostal churches “born again Christians”.
According to a lady most people hide their laziness behind the banner of being born again. She said some of their members only sell scotched eggs around town because they will be dismissed for regular absences if they have to work in a big enterprise. The reason: they will always go to church several times a day, some of them, during work hours. They prefer to do small businesses to close and go to church at will. Until much light is shed on the Pentecostal churches, they will always be doubts and misunderstandings.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Agric Delegation Begins Young Farmers’ Programme
All about Douala is not industrial and business but it strives to make strides in agriculture.
The Provincial Delegation of Agriculture in Douala will soon begin a programme for the promotion of young farmers in the province. The programme which will begin by next year is expected to go a long way to encourage farmers and those who are not yet in the farming profession to get in to farming.
The information was announced by the Provincial Chief of Service of Agriculture development, Mr. Dieudonne Kaldjob. He said the delegation had discussed the project a long time ago with the former Minister and all has been put in place for it to kick off. Owing to the fact that Douala is suffering from lack of farming space, he said much of the land to be used will be from the outskirts of Douala like the PK 18, PK 30 which do not have inhabitants. Farmers he said will have to buy land to grow their crops.
The provincial chief added that it is believed that food stuff which is sold in Douala markets come from the South West Province. To an extent he said this is true, but there is some food stuff which is planted and grown in Douala which is sold in the markets, he said.
The Provincial Chief said, in Akwa Nord, Kotto, there are big farms which are owned by farmers who get assistance and guidance from the agriculture extension workers. He added that at PK 18, PK30 there are large plantations which also get assistance from the Delegation of Agriculture in Douala, through its extension workers, he said. Mr. Kaldjob said the farms in Douala are owned by farmers who are assisted and guided by extension workers of the delegation of agriculture. He said there are big plantations in the areas which have few inhabitants like the PK 18, PK 30.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The Provincial Delegation of Agriculture in Douala will soon begin a programme for the promotion of young farmers in the province. The programme which will begin by next year is expected to go a long way to encourage farmers and those who are not yet in the farming profession to get in to farming.
The information was announced by the Provincial Chief of Service of Agriculture development, Mr. Dieudonne Kaldjob. He said the delegation had discussed the project a long time ago with the former Minister and all has been put in place for it to kick off. Owing to the fact that Douala is suffering from lack of farming space, he said much of the land to be used will be from the outskirts of Douala like the PK 18, PK 30 which do not have inhabitants. Farmers he said will have to buy land to grow their crops.
The provincial chief added that it is believed that food stuff which is sold in Douala markets come from the South West Province. To an extent he said this is true, but there is some food stuff which is planted and grown in Douala which is sold in the markets, he said.
The Provincial Chief said, in Akwa Nord, Kotto, there are big farms which are owned by farmers who get assistance and guidance from the agriculture extension workers. He added that at PK 18, PK30 there are large plantations which also get assistance from the Delegation of Agriculture in Douala, through its extension workers, he said. Mr. Kaldjob said the farms in Douala are owned by farmers who are assisted and guided by extension workers of the delegation of agriculture. He said there are big plantations in the areas which have few inhabitants like the PK 18, PK 30.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Private Security Guard Companies Scramble for Contracts
Some of the companies are created simply to get money from customers since their boys are not well trained.
Over the last decade, private security guard companies have increased in Cameroon. It is now common to find private security guards at the entrances of big companies, international airports. There are always one or two young men clad in their uniforms standing with batons or walkie talkies. In Douala, customers are free to choose from Zion security, Dak Surveillance security, Security Dog, the defunct Wackenhut which has now become Global Security.
The liberalisation of the sector brought in these companies which now compete for services. Unfortunately, some have imposed themselves and carrying out activities that they are not supposed to undertake. In fact, some of the boys behave as if they were law enforcement officers, replacing the police.
How does one distinguished them from State security officers? Difficult because some of the guard companies have uniforms which look like those of the police corps. The tendency is to deceive some people who are not vigilant enough using the powers of policemen. Even though the presence of these private guards is dissuasive in some areas, they cannot effectively replace police officers in the society. On the contrary, most of them are used in the beginning companies as errand boys or “planton”.
In Douala, the rapid increase in the number of security guards is seen as a lucrative business. First of all, the young men are expected to pay about CFA 40,000CFA or 50,000CFA depending on the position he wants to get the required training. Then the company could get into a contract with an enterprise where they would assign some of the guards depending on the request of that Enterprise.
At the end of the month pay the enterprise pays for the services. The salaries of the security guards are then paid from this amount. Some of the officials of the guard companies do not care about effective training for the guards but they are interested in making quick money and so recruit many without a training plan. A security guard told CT he presented his documents, paid the required sum and he was recruited. Even though, he said his colleagues had to be trained, one month of sports and other pre-military techniques. Most of them he said were just recruited and sent to they duty post. In such cases one would doubt their potentials when they are faced with robbery for instance.
Officials of some security guard companies we contacted declined to explain how they train their boys because according to them exposing their techniques would mean releasing their secrets to the public. They said they have not been authorised to use guns like law enforcement officers to defend themselves, claiming that if they have to release their secrets it would mean they are rendering themselves helpless before their opponents in the case of an attack.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Over the last decade, private security guard companies have increased in Cameroon. It is now common to find private security guards at the entrances of big companies, international airports. There are always one or two young men clad in their uniforms standing with batons or walkie talkies. In Douala, customers are free to choose from Zion security, Dak Surveillance security, Security Dog, the defunct Wackenhut which has now become Global Security.
The liberalisation of the sector brought in these companies which now compete for services. Unfortunately, some have imposed themselves and carrying out activities that they are not supposed to undertake. In fact, some of the boys behave as if they were law enforcement officers, replacing the police.
How does one distinguished them from State security officers? Difficult because some of the guard companies have uniforms which look like those of the police corps. The tendency is to deceive some people who are not vigilant enough using the powers of policemen. Even though the presence of these private guards is dissuasive in some areas, they cannot effectively replace police officers in the society. On the contrary, most of them are used in the beginning companies as errand boys or “planton”.
In Douala, the rapid increase in the number of security guards is seen as a lucrative business. First of all, the young men are expected to pay about CFA 40,000CFA or 50,000CFA depending on the position he wants to get the required training. Then the company could get into a contract with an enterprise where they would assign some of the guards depending on the request of that Enterprise.
At the end of the month pay the enterprise pays for the services. The salaries of the security guards are then paid from this amount. Some of the officials of the guard companies do not care about effective training for the guards but they are interested in making quick money and so recruit many without a training plan. A security guard told CT he presented his documents, paid the required sum and he was recruited. Even though, he said his colleagues had to be trained, one month of sports and other pre-military techniques. Most of them he said were just recruited and sent to they duty post. In such cases one would doubt their potentials when they are faced with robbery for instance.
Officials of some security guard companies we contacted declined to explain how they train their boys because according to them exposing their techniques would mean releasing their secrets to the public. They said they have not been authorised to use guns like law enforcement officers to defend themselves, claiming that if they have to release their secrets it would mean they are rendering themselves helpless before their opponents in the case of an attack.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Mentally Retarded Children Need More Assistance
Officials of centres for mentally handicapped children in Douala say they need government aid.
Mental retardation is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic language skills during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. People suffering from mental retardation may be described as having developmental disabilities, global developmental delay, or learning difficulties.
There are many signs. For example, children with developmental disabilities may learn to sit up, to crawl, or to walk later than other children, or they may learn to talk later. Both adults and children with intellectual disabilities may also have trouble speaking, find it hard to remember things, have trouble understanding social rules, have trouble solving problems, and have trouble thinking logically.
Often, when parents discover this defect in their children; there is a tendency to hide them at home or send them to the village where they might not be exposed to the rest of the world. This is because this sort of handicap has not been well exposed like others. An example is that
around the country, there are schools for the blind, deaf and dumb, etc, but it is difficult to find those for children who are mentally handicapped. In Douala, some people have come up with such initiative and created schools which do carter for children who are mentally handicapped.
Talking to some of them who have taken up the challenge, they said they have not received any aid from the government and they have been operating on private funds.
The Director of Orchidee Home Centre, Which handles mental retarded children, Marie Melanie Bell, said the centre was created in 2005 and they have been functioning with private funds. She said the centre is owned by an association whose members contribute to run it. She added that they also get funds from parents who have to pay 60, 000 CFA every month after registering their children in the centre. As for the government, she said they have not received aid.
The Director of Guy Martial Foundation, which also trains mentally retarded children, Nzali Dorothée did not say anything contrary as far as aid from the government is concerned. Talking to the Provincial Delegate of Social Affairs, Samuel Ndjock, he said the State has not completely neglected this sector. There are two schools he said in the South West Province and in the North and added that they are not sufficient.
He said that there are four private centres in Douala, Which work in collaboration with the delegation of social affairs. The delegate said in the past there they gave subvention to some of the private centre, though he denied mentioning the centres that had received such subvention. He added that they also give material support. The delegate said as far as the rights of the children is concerned; there are laws which protect handicaps. But he added that technical norms still have to be put in place.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Bonaberi Residents Grapple with Floods…
The people complain that the council pays little attention to their plight.
Bonaberi happens to be one of the largest neighbourhoods in Douala which harbours a huge population. It is the gate way into Douala for commuters to and fro the Southern parts of Douala. The position the neighbourhood occupies therefore makes it boom in business and full of life. Unfortunately, the town has very poor road infrastructures. The Bonaberi old road which used to be the main road used by residents and also by those who flock into and out of Douala has been ruined with many potholes which keep standing water when it rains.
A new road was constructed but it is almost attaining the same degradation level. Besides bad roads, the neighbourhood suffers from poor drainage which causes most of the houses in this part of the town to be soaked when it rains heavily. A flood, especially during the rainy season is not uncommon. The residents have complained that these sad effects hinder their business from growing. When it rains, thousands of families are literally cut off from the rest of the town. The foot paths are covered with water. Only one road leads into the neighbourhood. There are no alleys linking smaller parts of the neighbourhood.
At Besseke, CT caught up with the chief of “Putor-Putor” neighbourhood, M. George
Ekoko, who said that area got its name from the muddy state of the road when it rains. He said the road that leads to the residential area is usually covered with water when it rains. He added that water gets to the knee level. He said people cannot go out of their houses because they have no paths to use to get to the highway. “This makes work and business very difficult”. Ekoko said as the road stretches on it reduces in width and becomes a foot path.
Nevertheless, he said cars use the road and some trucks. These trucks contribute in damaging the roads especially when it rains as they make it muddier. From time to time, the residents contribute money to fill the potholes, said he. Closed to the highway, is a drainage gutter which has been clogged with dirt and harbours standing water. Ekoko said when they contribute money they try to clear the drainage. It helps channel water and reduces the water level by about 50 Per cent, he added. So far, he said they have been contributing money to maintain the roads. However, he attributed the task of constructing new roads in the neighbourhood to the council and the government.
At Mabanda which is like a town of its own, the story is not different. There is also one road which is not tarred that leads into the area. There, there is a big market. But there are difficulties to get in and come out of the area because of the poor infrastructure.
Some Mabanda residents have reclaimed land to build their homes. They carry soil from Bikoko, and Miselele to fill up the water reservoirs and build their houses. As such,they are not free from floods.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Bonaberi happens to be one of the largest neighbourhoods in Douala which harbours a huge population. It is the gate way into Douala for commuters to and fro the Southern parts of Douala. The position the neighbourhood occupies therefore makes it boom in business and full of life. Unfortunately, the town has very poor road infrastructures. The Bonaberi old road which used to be the main road used by residents and also by those who flock into and out of Douala has been ruined with many potholes which keep standing water when it rains.
A new road was constructed but it is almost attaining the same degradation level. Besides bad roads, the neighbourhood suffers from poor drainage which causes most of the houses in this part of the town to be soaked when it rains heavily. A flood, especially during the rainy season is not uncommon. The residents have complained that these sad effects hinder their business from growing. When it rains, thousands of families are literally cut off from the rest of the town. The foot paths are covered with water. Only one road leads into the neighbourhood. There are no alleys linking smaller parts of the neighbourhood.
At Besseke, CT caught up with the chief of “Putor-Putor” neighbourhood, M. George
Ekoko, who said that area got its name from the muddy state of the road when it rains. He said the road that leads to the residential area is usually covered with water when it rains. He added that water gets to the knee level. He said people cannot go out of their houses because they have no paths to use to get to the highway. “This makes work and business very difficult”. Ekoko said as the road stretches on it reduces in width and becomes a foot path.
Nevertheless, he said cars use the road and some trucks. These trucks contribute in damaging the roads especially when it rains as they make it muddier. From time to time, the residents contribute money to fill the potholes, said he. Closed to the highway, is a drainage gutter which has been clogged with dirt and harbours standing water. Ekoko said when they contribute money they try to clear the drainage. It helps channel water and reduces the water level by about 50 Per cent, he added. So far, he said they have been contributing money to maintain the roads. However, he attributed the task of constructing new roads in the neighbourhood to the council and the government.
At Mabanda which is like a town of its own, the story is not different. There is also one road which is not tarred that leads into the area. There, there is a big market. But there are difficulties to get in and come out of the area because of the poor infrastructure.
Some Mabanda residents have reclaimed land to build their homes. They carry soil from Bikoko, and Miselele to fill up the water reservoirs and build their houses. As such,they are not free from floods.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Music Corporation Frowns at non-payment of Copyright Fees
The CMC agents acting in accordance with the law, have been seizing equipment used by some companies.
Officials of the Cameroon Music Corporation, CMC, have frowned at some enterprises, for failing to comply with the law related to the protection of the rights of authors. The law ensures the protection of all literary or artistic works, irrespective of the mode, worth, genre or purpose of the expression. These includes literary works, such as, computer programmes, music,with or without lyrics, artworks created for the stage, audiovisual works, paintings, drawing; wood carving, sculptures, architectural works, tapestries, maps and arts objects.
According to CMC officials, the enterprises use these artistic works in one way or the other to promote their activities. Example which were given include the sound which some companies used for their telephones on hold, paintings on their walls for decoration, computer programmes, like media player, which is music played through the computer…
Presently CMC, in a note signed by the Communication and Public Relation Officer, Manfred Moumi, stated that a big petroleum station in Cameroon which CMC claims does not pay the rights of authors, uses mobile caravans to advertise, using CMC and SACEM products, (a foreign sister corporation). The Regional Director of CMC, Aimé Sadou, has warned the enterprise to stop using their products. According to Moumi, the lawyers of some of these enterprises mislead them since they are not well informed. He added that the dividends have no fixed rate and could be negotiated.
In a letter dated May 15, 2007, the Minister of State in charge of Culture informed Director Generals of big enterprises about the payment of copyrights, he reminded those who challenge the copyrights law and also of the risks involved in ignoring it. He stated that it is contrary to government’s policy. The Law of 19, December 2000, states that the failure to pay or unjustified late payment of the fee as provided by the law is considered as forgery.
The letter further states that the law was not introduced by the Government but that it is an International Convention which Cameroon has ratified. According to the letter, the minister states that, the aim is not to frighten the enterprises but help them understand the need of paying the fee. By this he said government according to article 4 and 5 of Law of 13th January 2006, has simplified the system such that the fees are negotiated with the CMC agents. But once they have done so, payment becomes obligatory and late payment will not be tolerated.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Officials of the Cameroon Music Corporation, CMC, have frowned at some enterprises, for failing to comply with the law related to the protection of the rights of authors. The law ensures the protection of all literary or artistic works, irrespective of the mode, worth, genre or purpose of the expression. These includes literary works, such as, computer programmes, music,with or without lyrics, artworks created for the stage, audiovisual works, paintings, drawing; wood carving, sculptures, architectural works, tapestries, maps and arts objects.
According to CMC officials, the enterprises use these artistic works in one way or the other to promote their activities. Example which were given include the sound which some companies used for their telephones on hold, paintings on their walls for decoration, computer programmes, like media player, which is music played through the computer…
Presently CMC, in a note signed by the Communication and Public Relation Officer, Manfred Moumi, stated that a big petroleum station in Cameroon which CMC claims does not pay the rights of authors, uses mobile caravans to advertise, using CMC and SACEM products, (a foreign sister corporation). The Regional Director of CMC, Aimé Sadou, has warned the enterprise to stop using their products. According to Moumi, the lawyers of some of these enterprises mislead them since they are not well informed. He added that the dividends have no fixed rate and could be negotiated.
In a letter dated May 15, 2007, the Minister of State in charge of Culture informed Director Generals of big enterprises about the payment of copyrights, he reminded those who challenge the copyrights law and also of the risks involved in ignoring it. He stated that it is contrary to government’s policy. The Law of 19, December 2000, states that the failure to pay or unjustified late payment of the fee as provided by the law is considered as forgery.
The letter further states that the law was not introduced by the Government but that it is an International Convention which Cameroon has ratified. According to the letter, the minister states that, the aim is not to frighten the enterprises but help them understand the need of paying the fee. By this he said government according to article 4 and 5 of Law of 13th January 2006, has simplified the system such that the fees are negotiated with the CMC agents. But once they have done so, payment becomes obligatory and late payment will not be tolerated.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
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