Youths Decry Abusive Road Use by Trucks

The youths intend to build a rain gate which will block trucks from using the road when it rains.

Youths of rue chateau Youpwe, Bonapriso, have asked the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council to permit them build a rain gate which will control the movement of heavy duty vehicles in the neighbourhood, especially when it rains. Youpwe generally is a swampy area with a minimum of 30 trucks passing through the road and creating serious difficulties for both pedestrians and other vehicles.
The youths led by Martin Siewe Happy came together with the chief of their bloc Samuel Lefang to try to put some order in the road. They threw laterite on the road to reduce the mud. But with the frequent use by the trucks the road was still getting depreciated. The youths turned to the Douala City council, drafted a letter which the chief of Youpwe refused to visa. Happy said the chief made a statement that “they only come to him when they are in problems”. This reaction stemmed some misunderstanding between the youths and the chief for sometime.
Happy explained to CT that the rain gate was not to hinder the work of the trucks but to stop them from using the road abusively, and permit them use it when the road is dry. This he said is to preserve the road so that even inhabitants of the area can be able to use the road.
The Chief of Youpwe, Sosso Essei Arnold said he acknowledges the problems of the youths and that he has solicited the Cameroon Oil Transporting Company, COTCO, for help and they have accepted to throw laterite on the road to help the situation. He added that they also plan to talk to the truck drivers not to use the road when it is raining or very wet.
Happy said talking to the truck drivers is not enough but there has to be a physical object which will stop them from using the road and that will be the rain gate. He said they will still push forward with their plans while waiting to hear from the government delegate.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO