Public transport in Manyu division has virtually come to a standstill as angry drivers there have grounded their vehicles to protest the poor state of roads in the area.

Kumba-Mafe Road during the rainy season

Reports quoted protesting drivers as saying their action is intended to denounce government’s fake promises and to pressurise the authorities to construct roads in the division. They said since independence the government has been making unfulfilled promises to tar roads in Manyu, with projects such as the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok road being done only on paper.

For much of February 20, transport vehicles which serve the Kumba –Mamfe and Mamfe – Eyoumojock axes, as well as other destinations in Manyu, have been forced off the road by the angry drivers. It took the intervention of Manyu authorities for the roads to be reopened, although the drivers have maintained their decision to park down their vehicles.

“It is good that you visit the area and look at the state of the roads only after two days of rain. It is impossible to pass even with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. We don’t want promises any more. We want caterpillars to begin work especially on the Ekok-Eyumojock road which goes right up to Nigeria” the President of the Drivers’ Union in Mamfe Takang Felix Agbor told CameroonPostline.com by telephone on Tuesday.

When questioned why they boycotted a meeting called by the Divisional Officer, he said such meetings serve no purpose. “We have held meetings for several decades and nothing has been done. The drivers cannot afford to pay their documents and cannot be able to work because of the bad state of the roads. Things would even get worse with the advent of the rainy season,” he said.

Mamfe Park

Manyu SDO Simou Kamsu Patrick called on the drivers to exercise patience. “The programme and studies to tar the Ekok-Eyoumojock road began since 2008. I don’t understand why the drivers want the construction company to abandon the work it is doing now to tackle the problem on the Ekok-Eyoumojock road. That is part of the contract of the Chinese company which is carrying on with rehabilitation works.

I have explained to the drivers that studies have already been carried out pending the disbursement of funds for works on the roads in Manyu. You know the government cannot do everything at once. I, however, appreciate the fact the strike action is peaceful,” Mr. Kamsu told CameroonPostline.com by phone on Tuesday.

He admitted that the protest has greatly affected the movement of goods and persons in his area of command amid fears of an increase in transport fare. The SDO said he has convened a crisis meeting that would eventually diffuse tension while the drivers’ grievances are forwarded to his superiors.

Cameroonpostline