Bless Zoshe
Buea, Cameroon
One week after the expected return of permanent and regular water supply in Buea on February 28, the promises made by the companies in charge of water, CAMWATER, and Camerounaise Des Eaux, have so far remained empty talk.
Inhabitants of some neighborhoods like Bokwaongo, Long Street, Sand pit, Molyko and by extension the whole town sometimes go for days, weeks or even months, without a drop of water running in their pipes.
Buea indegens struggling to get water on a lucky day
Reminiscing on the water situation in Buea in the 1960s, Pa Boniface Mbolem, a resident of Bokwaongo quarter, Buea, expressed frustration over the recurrent water cuts.
“In fact, when I came here as a boy in the 60s, we had no problem as far as water is concerned. Water flowed here regularly until the past few years, when they started rationing it. We would have water for one or two days, then it ceases. But it has come to the worst since 2012 because we have gone for months without water. In the whole of February 2013, we never had water flowing for up to an hour per day. Now, you have a tap in the house, you pay exorbitant bills, but you still either have to buy water, or hire a taxi to go out to far off destinations to get it.” Mbolem bursts out.
The story is no different for students of boarding schools in and around Buea. In Baptist High school Great Soppo, for instance, hundreds of students continue to risk their lives on a daily basis, running across the road, crowding, and sometimes fighting at the CAMWATER catchment tank, just to get water for daily use.
Nkeh Peter Chaigeh, Principal BHS Buea expressed dismay at water crises
According to the principal of BHS Buea, Nkeh Peter Chaigeh, the boarding facility, with a population of more than one thousand, has gone for several months without water, despite several appeals to authorities in charge.
“We began experiencing rampant shortages of water in November 2012, and in January, the situation became acute.
In fact, I want to testify that in January and February this year, we never had water on campus. The students basically survived by crossing the road everyday to fetch water.
We wrote to the CAMWATER authorities in Buea, complaining bitterly about the situation. Their response was that they were doing everything to provide water by February 28.
That morning, a few drops of water flowed on the campus, but subsequently, the taps ran dry. When we went back to them, they explained that they had a technical problem; that one of their pipes had exploded. They also said the pressure was too high, and reassured us that in three or four days, the water would be back.
We do everything to prevent our students from going out there, because we know the risk involved. At some times, they even go there and have confrontation with people from town. It has really been hard on us, knowing that the students have a fixed program. As a result of the crises, our afternoon preps virtually could not hold because as the leave from after launch students, spend all their time carrying water.
However, for the past three days, the situation seems to be improving, but the water still does not flow like the CAMWATER authorities promised. We are hoping that they will do something better.” Nkeh lamented.
Similarly, entire families now rely on doubtful sources to get drinking water, as well as for other chores. Aloysius, another Buea inhabitant, only has one plea for authorities of CAMWATER:
“I sincerely appeal to CAMWATER to keep to their promise. I am very angry because we go late to work, students go late to school. CAMWATER, please bring us water!”
In an interview granted on a local radio station in Buea on January 9, 2013, the Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles, had assured the public that all necessary ground work, notably the laying and connection of water pipes had been completed, and that water would flow uninterrupted as from February 28, 2013.
“We have come a long way on the issue of water crisis in Buea. Our mothers and children have suffered. Sometimes, when you see the distance they cover, and the way they line up to fetch water, it is painful. I wish to declare that soon, all these will be over.
Soon, we shall have water, and in good quantity. The work is almost complete, and we have verified that. Finally, we have been given the full assurance that our water will be handed to us by the end of February.” Mbella announced.
This claim was further confirmed by an official of the water company during an evaluation meeting of the Regional Organizing Committees of upcoming celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Re-Unification of Cameroon, held on January 16, 2013, and chaired by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai.
Apart from Buea, the water crisis is also severe in other towns across region, like Kumba , where the water is highly colored. The situation has forced inhabitants of the town to travel to places like Muyuka, in search of water.
Reacting to the issue, the Deputy Director General of CAMWATER Mr. Felix Ngonpa said a contractor began working on the water problem in February and that the project will last for 18 months. He also pleaded with the population to be patient while the problem is addressed saying ‘The water in Kumba has some color. The system in place now cannot treat it but we do something to be sure that the water does not contain bacteria. We will also do the control every week to be sure that the water is really safe.’
“Concerning the case of Buea, the work is going on, and by the end of February, they will have portable water permanently.” An official declared to the press.
However, close to three months after the pronouncements, CAMWATER has already installed pipes, reservoir facilities, and pumping machines. Nonetheless, most taps are still very dry, and the authorities concerned are still to make any official declaration for not keeping their promise. Meantime, sources say Governor Okalia Bilai has given CAMWATER and AES Sonel authorities a 10-day ultimatum to regularize the situation.
