By Tome Pearl
BUEA, Cameroon – To restore cleanliness and public health, the Municipal Council has intensified its cleanup campaign. From street sweeping to increased public announcements, the council’s initiative is visibly active. However, despite these ongoing efforts, careless waste disposal by residents continues to undermine the progress.
Although the council has granted holiday jobs as a way for the population to work together to see to it that the town is clean, piles of garbage can still be seen near open drains, roadsides and markets, often just meters away from designated bins. Plastic bottles and household waste are commonly dumped in areas, contributing to pollution and health hazards.
Faith Tiku, an inhabitant of Bokwaongo, said the problem of waste mismanagement lies with individuals, as it is mostly observed that they throw dirt randomly, despite the presence of dustbins. She said: “There are laws that govern other countries about waste management, which Cameroon lacks, hence, the people are relaxed.”
“Waste is dumped on roadsides, people’s compounds, and the situation becomes more challenging because people dispose of waste at night, making it difficult for the council to detect who is behind the act. This slows down the implementation of the 25,000 FRS fine on anyone who is involved in waste mismanagement.”
The Buea Council has launched a massive cleanup operation to restore the town’s beauty, starting with the recruitment of 60 energetic youths from secondary and higher institutions for a two-week special holiday job. This is the first phase of the Clean Buea Campaign, born from the August 6 “Synergy of Stakeholders to Keep Buea Clean” meeting at the Council Chambers.
A battle to keep the Town Clean
On August 14, Mayor David Mafany Namange led the official launch at Buea Central Market, where sanitation company HYSCAM and members of the Buea Tipper Drivers Association cleared mountains of waste that had been causing traffic. Even the Divisional Officer for Buea Subdivision, Mr. Abba Abdouraman, joined the exercise, spending over three hours on site to see the job completed.
The campaign will target 18 major dumpsites across the municipality, including Buea Town, Great Soppo Market, Sandpit, Mile 18, and Molyko. The recruited youths will be equipped with wheelbarrows, spades, and cutlasses, and will serve as Clean Buea Ambassadors. Their mission will be to educate residents, assist in waste collection, and report offenders with photographic evidence for penalties.
To enforce proper waste management, the council has introduced strict fines. Parents of minors caught dumping waste will pay 25,000 FCFA, while businesses and medical facilities found disposing of waste improperly will be fined 250,000 FCFA. Mayor Mafany made it clear that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility, adding that HYSCAM’s contract may be reviewed or even cancelled if they fail to meet obligations.
Residents have already expressed appreciation. Local mechanic Samelle Beltus said, “Before, people dumped waste at night so no one would see them, and by morning the whole place was filthy. Now we are happy it has been cleared. Let’s teach our children and make use of the trash cans.”
“We cannot tolerate behaviours which endanger public health and undermine our ongoing efforts put in place to keep Buea clean and safe,” the Mayor stated. “This enforcement is a clear message that the Council is serious about environmental protection,” Mayor David Mafany Namange said about those who disregard cleanliness in certain areas of the municipality.
The Buea Council has also pledged to increase public awareness campaigns and surveillance to ensure that residents comply with the new waste management regulations. Citizens are also encouraged to use the trash cans stationed at strategic locations and to follow the calendar of activities provided by HYSACAM to avoid penalties.
