Brisk business for transporters as many flee Lockdown in NW

From Bakah Derick/Nfor Abduraman in Bamenda

First Published by The Guardian Post Daily

Every year, the half of August is always good business time for transporters.

 

Their parks and agencies are always inundated due to an influx of travellers who are returning to their base to begin school in September. Instead of this age old tradition to be respected for the reason of back to school, the last three years have witnessed have witnessed a new train in Bamenda with 2019 attaining a completely all new level. 

Thousands have stormed travel agencies and other parks in Bamenda not for back to school reasons but to flee a looming lockdown announced by separatist leaders.

Mile two Nkwen host to a lead inter urban transporter in Cameroon and other small transporters to other towns of the NW, travellers are everywhere in need of transport services not into other parts of the region but out of the region. Their stories are almost the same like that of Jaav Gabrella from Kai in Bui Division seating with her two kids beside two bags of Irish potatoes and other food stuff and three other  travellers bags.

 “I came from Kumbo on Friday morning after paying 13000F for transportation and spending 9000F to settle the boys on the way. It was not easy reaching Bamenda. I am going to Yaounde to meet my elder sister. My two children you see here have not gone to school for three years and I can’t keep them at home anymore. I have been asked to 16000 for two seats to Yaounde and 5000F for my bags; that is 21000F. This is money I was keeping hoping that schools will resume so can pay fee for my children but with the lockdown I am hearing and other things I have seen in the village I cannot stay.” She said almost in tears. 

Close to her is Carine (We keep her surname for her security). She was a teacher in Belo Subdivision. She is moving to Douala after a visit to her community where she was accused of coming to start school. She is kept in a camp and nurtured. She shows me wounds on her legs and arms saying some are inside and behind her back.  

Almost in tears she tells me “I am in very serious pain Sir. I have had the worst experience in my life. I am a teacher by profession but should I escape my village because I am a teacher?” she cries for a few minutes then added “I only went home to see my grandmother who is not well and also to take care of her farm and mine. I spent five days in a forest sleeping on the ground and being tortured again. I managed to get to Bamenda so I could get some money and try to treat myself. When I went to the hospital I was told I will be admitted but with the coming lockdown I can’t stay in town because it will not be possible for someone to bring me food or for me to go get something myself. I am going to meet by brother in Sagmalima where I will get treatment.” 

As we speak to these women, there is no vehicle ready to transport them at the moment but they have paid their transport fair almost double what is normally collected. They have waited for almost seven hours and may still wait longer. Kids are falling asleep and waking up, demanding food and toilet facilities. The parents themselves are hungry but they have to provide for the kids in an environment where they must buy everything.

  

The loaders have a lot of Work to do to manage the many bags and other items being transported by the fleeing population. Cars are forced to carry more than usual. Like structured travel agencies so too are makeshift parks. 

At finance Junction in Bamenda, transporters increase the transport to Bafoussam at intervals depending on who is watching and what who is caring. It is an alternative to escape now with the influx at travel agencies. 

“I went to Moghamo, Vatican, Guarantee and Nso Boys and could not see a vehicle for Douala. So I had to come here (Finance Junction) to take a vehicle for Bafoussam from where I will try to get one from Dauala. I have paid 3000 FRS for myself and 2000 FRS for my bags.” The teacher who will not want to be named tells us adding “I have to leave here massa, every day they call you to give money for some struggle you give to buy your head and today they say they want to lock us indoors for God knows how long and you thing I should stay?” 

The transporters we contacted refused to make a statement on or justify the increase in transport fare claiming that they were not aware of such increase. 

At other travel agencies around City Chemist round about in Bamenda, many cue up for tickets. They look far more than the available buses at the station at the time of our visit. Then Fru Jackson a trader in Bamenda  on the ticket cue tells us “Derick if I will enter the boat and leave this place I will have to. I don’t care what the cost is. Even for three days I can’t stay home again. I have not recovered from the February lock down and I can’t do another.” As to whether he is coming back, he responded “I f that lockdown holds I will not come back here again. I will look for a house and transfer my wife and kids and transfer my business. Even this Money should be removed. I respected Monday, they kidnapped me and said I was not paying taxes thanks to them and collected almost 500,000FRS from me or they will kill me and my family. Bro what will I do. I don’t even speak French how will I survive in Douala? I have no choice I can’t seat I watch my family suffer like this. I have worked very hard for them.” 

No statement has been made by the administration on this Mass movement neither have those who declared the lockdown people are fleeing from said a word. The argument is instead over whose own is the right one not that it should be cancelled.