By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – Dr Paul Efome Ngale, Limbe City Mayor, has embarked on an assessment tour of flood-and landslide-affected areas following the devastating torrential rains that struck the city on Wednesday, August 5, leaving three people dead and causing significant damage to infrastructure.
Accompanied by close collaborators, the City Mayor used the tour on Thursday, August 6, to assess the extent of the damage, inspect critical facilities and offer support to the lone survivor of the landslide tragedy at Mbende Quarters–Mokeba Farms.
The Mayor’s first stop was the Limbe Zoological Centre, where the heavy rains caused two perimeter walls to collapse and overwhelmed metal barriers under the force of rushing water.
Officials of the wildlife centre told the visiting delegation that no animals were injured during the incident. They explained that the animals had already been secured in their enclosures before the rains intensified. The officials also dismissed claims circulating on social media that monkeys and crocodiles had escaped from the facility.
They assured the delegation that the zoological centre remained intact and that a response plan was already being developed to reconstruct the damaged walls and reinforce the safety of the animals.
From the zoological centre, Mayor Ngale and his team proceeded to the Regional Hospital at Mile One, where they visited 45-year-old Meh James Duh, the sole survivor of the building collapse that claimed the lives of three members of his family at Mbende Quarters.
The hospital’s Director, Dr Nyenty, accompanied the delegation to the ward where the survivor is recovering. Mayor Ngale expressed condolences to Meh Duh over the loss of his family members and encouraged him to remain strong during the difficult period.
Hospital authorities said the survivor is receiving medical attention as well as counselling and psychosocial support to assist him in coping with the trauma and recovering from the tragedy.
The Mayor’s tour subsequently extended to several flood-affected parts of the city, including Church Street, Half Mile, New Town and Bota Crystal Garden. The inspection enabled the city authorities to identify areas where urgent intervention was required following the heavy rainfall.
Among the immediate measures being undertaken is the removal of debris from roads, clearing of blocked gutters and waterways, and restoring the flow of water through drainage channels. The City Council is also stepping up sensitisation campaigns to encourage residents to take precautions during the ongoing rainy season, particularly those living in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
The torrential downpour triggered floods and landslides in several parts of the municipality, causing loss of life, damage to property and temporary displacement of residents.
The City Mayor’s assessment tour is expected to serve as the first phase of a broader response plan, with interventions to be strengthened in the coming days as the Council works to address the immediate effects of the disaster.
Beyond clearing roads and drainage systems, the authorities are expected to intensify public awareness on the dangers associated with living in flood-prone areas, riverbanks and unstable hillsides.
For the Limbe City Council, the immediate priority is to restore access, clear affected infrastructure and support residents while longer-term measures are developed to reduce the city’s vulnerability to flooding and landslides.
