The Bamenda III Council Water Scheme has been recognised as a 'champion in clean portable water supply, water resource management, catchment protection, and restoration.' The prestigious award, conferred by the Cameroon Climate Journalism Network (CCJN), was presented during celebrations marking World Wetlands Day on Sunday, 2 February 2025, in Bamenda.
The Deputy Mayor of Bamenda III, Koti Joseph Tita, received the award with visible satisfaction, acknowledging the council’s relentless efforts in ensuring access to clean water.
The recognition came as part of a broader celebration by environmental advocates, water resource managers, and climate reporters, who gathered under the banner of the 2024 Wetland Restoration Development Initiative Award and the 2024 Sustainable Development Initiative Award. These honours were aimed at celebrating individuals and institutions making remarkable strides in wetland conservation and environmental protection.
Speaking to Hilltopvoices.com on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe expressed deep gratitude to his German partners, Trinkwasser in the City of Trier, Germany, who have stood by him and the council since 2012 in realising the water project. He emphasised the impact the scheme has had on the municipality, providing relief to thousands of residents.
"With the public taps stationed across the municipality, people even come from other places to fetch water," he noted.
While acknowledging the success of the project, the Mayor did not shy away from highlighting the challenges. He admitted that some areas initially connected to the water supply are still experiencing shortages. However, he assured residents that a new optimisation mission involving German experts is already in the works to ensure that water flows everywhere in the municipality.
The Bamenda III Council Water Scheme, widely regarded as one of the pinnacle achievements of Mayor Fongu’s administration, began in 2012 as a collaborative effort with Trinkwasser. From the hills of Menteh Nkwen, where the imposing water purification plant stands, highly purified water now flows into homes, improving the quality of life for many.
According to Tamukong Roland President of the Cameroon Climate Journalism Network, World Wetlands Day celebration in Bamenda was the culmination of a week-long campaign on wetland restoration and conservation. Hosted under the "Climate Demand Action" campaign, the event recognised and rewarded individuals, NGOs, CSOs, and institutions dedicated to environmental protection. Gold and bronze medals were awarded to various stakeholders in honour of their contributions to nation-building and nature conservation.
With the Bamenda III Council Water Scheme now a recognised leader in sustainable water management, Mayor Fongu and his team remain committed to ensuring that no household in the municipality is left without access to clean, portable water. The journey continues, but for now, the people of Bamenda III can take pride in the progress made one drop at a time.
By Bakah Derick
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