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| Some old picture of Bamenda |
It’s known to many by now that Cameroon’s government in July
announced an increase in prices of petroleum products in the country. These
prices which were generally not received happily by Cameroonians have generated
another kind of debate stemming from its disparity across the national
territory. In Bamenda, there is an extra CFA 9F increase which is explained by
the suppliers to be an addition caused by transportation. While politicians
have been lambasting the addition, civil society organization say it is
outright disrespect of the consumer rights of consumers of the precious liquid
in Bamenda.
Addressing those who showed up for the handing over of his
Parliamentary Micro Project Grants in Bali on the subject on Monday September
15, the Member of Parliament for Bamenda-Bali said to make everyone in the
country be on the same level in managing the fuel price increase there is need
for the creation of a Fuel Depot in Bamenda. Adding that the Northwest is
served by the depot in Bafoussam , Hon. Fobi Nchinda Simon said if there was
another depot in Bamenda, there will be no such increase of up to CFA 9F.
Speaking on the same issue in Bamenda, Thursday September 9,
2014, The Coalition of Northwest Civil Society Organizations expressed the need
for the creation of a fuel depot in Bamenda. Using analyses which show that
Bamenda is the third most economically active city in Cameroon after Douala and
Yaounde, the coalition questioned what justifies the presence of a depot in
Bafoussam and none in Bamenda.
Another subject of interest to these representatives of
Bamenda people has been the abandonment of the Bafoussam- Bamenda road. For
those who used this road early this year, they certainly noticed some road work
which many described as a good initiative and gift from the Government.
Sometime in July, the contract executor Razel, parked her equipment and left
the works as soon as they got to Babajou; the last subdivisions along the road
leading to Bamenda. Since then, noting has happened from there till Bamenda. The
Member of Parliament for Bamenda- Bali addressed the issue in Bali and called
for Government to immediately allocate funds for the completion of that job
till Bamenda. According to the coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the
Northwest, noting will stop them to organize a strike action in a bid to call
government to order on the subject.
While noting that they will work in tandem with inter-urban
transporters to enforce the strike, the coalition however appreciated the
integration of members of the pressure group into the national consultation
committee as well as the creation of a regional follow-up committee for
consultation in the Northwest. Acknowledging that they are in consultation with
the government on the matter, the coalition called off a strike earlier planned
for Monday September 22, 2014.