By Bakah Derick in Bamenda
Businesses have remained closed on Mondays in Bamenda since January 2017 as part of a civil disobedience plan againsts government by a consortium of teachers' trade unions all of English language expression and common law lawyers.
The ghost town on this day of the week has been enforced for over three years now by non state armed fighters who threatened defaults with destruction or even death. Many shops and business premises have been burnt, owners of shops kidnapped and tortured for disrespecting the orders. Unconfirmed cases of death have been reported of some people killed for not respecting ghost towns.
All efforts by the state to persuade the business people open their shops on Mondays have failed. Administrators have encouraged citizens to ignore the threats and go about their businesses. Such calls have yielded no fruits
The immediate past government City Mayor officially known as Government Delegate Ndumu Vincent Nji made frantic efforts to stop the ghost town but failed despite several meetings with the shop owners and even the sealing of shops.
Since his election, the new City Mayor has opted for a new approach. First, Paul Achobong engaged in the cleaning and disinfection of streets in the city with particular focus on commercial areas and markets. Next was the cancellation of rents for the months of April and May this year.
This Monday April 13, 2020, the City Mayor programmed another disinfection exercise calling on shop owners to be present and open their shops for disinfection. He had warned that those who fail to open will have their shops sealed. Not just did the Bamenda City Municipal Authority come to disinfect the market but also to oversee the selling of food items at reduced prices.
The news of the sales went round the city like wildfire and despite the transport difficulties on such days, many showed up to do the purchase. The scramble for the rice, soap and vegetable oil caused many to ignore the coronavirus pandemic preventive measures that is the use of face mask and social distancing. They queued in several lines at different points to wait for their turn.
"Who will see such and opportunity at this time and not come? I got a bike from Nghomgham to come here but even if there was no bike I will still come. I was coming here thinking I was alone but see how many people are here. I don't even have a place to stand but I hope to get something for the family." A tired looking Christopher said.
As they scrambled for the items, the City Mayor went on with his planned disinfection and sealing of shops accompanied by his collaborators of Bamenda I and II councils. For the shops sealed the city Mayor said "The owner will pay a fine of 50000FCFA." He has also warned that anyone who removes the seal will forfeit his shop.
"I came to open my shop because I can't afford to loose this shop. Things are very difficult. If I stayed home and council came and sealed like they have sealed others what will I do? Where will I take money to pay 50000frs? As I speak to you I don't know what will happen to this shop tomorrow. The problems in this town are too much and my family is looking at me... I am only managing to provide food now. It is bad..." a shop owner amongst a few who opened their shops said.
The respect of ghost towns particularly on Mondays in Bamenda has become a way of life despite reduced threats from the enforcers.
Cameroon's minister of agriculture has indicated a posible shortage of food in the crisis heat North West Region and with the coronavirus pandemic, experts fear the region may not only suffer an economic set back but also famine. They however see the City Mayor's move as an attempt to save the region.
"The North West Region has been in crisis for more than three years. Businesses have collapsed. Many farming areas cannot be accessed as they have been turned to battle grounds or the roads to those farms blocked. I think it is a good move by the City Mayor especially after he has shown that he is someone the city can count on. Cancellation of rents are things I have never heard of in this town." Nellson Laasha an economist reacted.
Businesses have remained closed on Mondays in Bamenda since January 2017 as part of a civil disobedience plan againsts government by a consortium of teachers' trade unions all of English language expression and common law lawyers.
The ghost town on this day of the week has been enforced for over three years now by non state armed fighters who threatened defaults with destruction or even death. Many shops and business premises have been burnt, owners of shops kidnapped and tortured for disrespecting the orders. Unconfirmed cases of death have been reported of some people killed for not respecting ghost towns.
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| City dwellers queue to buy food in Bamenda (photo credit: Elvis Ndi Tsebom) |
All efforts by the state to persuade the business people open their shops on Mondays have failed. Administrators have encouraged citizens to ignore the threats and go about their businesses. Such calls have yielded no fruits
The immediate past government City Mayor officially known as Government Delegate Ndumu Vincent Nji made frantic efforts to stop the ghost town but failed despite several meetings with the shop owners and even the sealing of shops.
Since his election, the new City Mayor has opted for a new approach. First, Paul Achobong engaged in the cleaning and disinfection of streets in the city with particular focus on commercial areas and markets. Next was the cancellation of rents for the months of April and May this year.
This Monday April 13, 2020, the City Mayor programmed another disinfection exercise calling on shop owners to be present and open their shops for disinfection. He had warned that those who fail to open will have their shops sealed. Not just did the Bamenda City Municipal Authority come to disinfect the market but also to oversee the selling of food items at reduced prices.
The news of the sales went round the city like wildfire and despite the transport difficulties on such days, many showed up to do the purchase. The scramble for the rice, soap and vegetable oil caused many to ignore the coronavirus pandemic preventive measures that is the use of face mask and social distancing. They queued in several lines at different points to wait for their turn.
"Who will see such and opportunity at this time and not come? I got a bike from Nghomgham to come here but even if there was no bike I will still come. I was coming here thinking I was alone but see how many people are here. I don't even have a place to stand but I hope to get something for the family." A tired looking Christopher said.
As they scrambled for the items, the City Mayor went on with his planned disinfection and sealing of shops accompanied by his collaborators of Bamenda I and II councils. For the shops sealed the city Mayor said "The owner will pay a fine of 50000FCFA." He has also warned that anyone who removes the seal will forfeit his shop.
 |
| City Mayor (center with yellow) monitoring activities (photo credit: Elvis Ndi Tsebom) |
"I came to open my shop because I can't afford to loose this shop. Things are very difficult. If I stayed home and council came and sealed like they have sealed others what will I do? Where will I take money to pay 50000frs? As I speak to you I don't know what will happen to this shop tomorrow. The problems in this town are too much and my family is looking at me... I am only managing to provide food now. It is bad..." a shop owner amongst a few who opened their shops said.
The respect of ghost towns particularly on Mondays in Bamenda has become a way of life despite reduced threats from the enforcers.
Cameroon's minister of agriculture has indicated a posible shortage of food in the crisis heat North West Region and with the coronavirus pandemic, experts fear the region may not only suffer an economic set back but also famine. They however see the City Mayor's move as an attempt to save the region.
"The North West Region has been in crisis for more than three years. Businesses have collapsed. Many farming areas cannot be accessed as they have been turned to battle grounds or the roads to those farms blocked. I think it is a good move by the City Mayor especially after he has shown that he is someone the city can count on. Cancellation of rents are things I have never heard of in this town." Nellson Laasha an economist reacted.
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