After days of heavy rainfall, the Below Foncha neighborhood in the Bamenda III municipality has been grappling with severe flooding. The flooding, caused by the overflow of the Nkie-Mufeh stream, has been exacerbated by the accumulation of plastic bottles and other debris, which blocked the waterway and disrupted the water flowing path.
In the early hours of Tuesday 23 July 2024, residents of Below Foncha have, gathered by the stream near a newly constructed market. Their mission is clear: to remove the plastics and other debris that had turned a once modest stream into a source of community distress. The cleanup operation was crucial, as the blocked stream had been causing water to overflow its banks, inundating homes and properties.
The Mayor of the Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, and the Second Deputy Mayor, Margaret Ndzelen, joined the community members in their efforts. They expressed concern over the recurrent flooding and highlighted the council's commitment to finding long-term solutions.
"The flooding we've seen is a reminder of the consequences of poor waste management. Our community must come togetherl as they have done to address this issue. The council is committed to improving infrastructure, but we also need the cooperation of every resident to keep our waterways clean." Mayor Fongu Cletus told the Hilltopvoices, Newspaper
For the residents of Below Foncha, the flooding has been a harrowing experience.
"We've suffered a lot. The water came into our homes, and we had to leave. But today, seeing everyone come out to help clear the stream gives us hope. We must prevent this from happening again." A resident who preferred we use.onky one of his names Ngong said
In the last two years, efforts have been made to improve the drainage systems in the area, including work to prevent the Nkie-Mufeh stream from overflowing. However, the persistence of plastic waste and other debris has continued to pose challenges.
The cleanup, according to the Mayor is part of a broader initiative by the Bamenda III Council to combat environmental degradation and promote better hygiene and sanitation practices. The council is planning to implement more comprehensive waste management solutions, including providing more accessible disposal facilities and increasing public awareness about the environmental impact of improper waste disposal.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesinfo@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77