The Nkambe Council has demonstrated yet again that it is a hygiene and sanitation trailblazer in North West Region. The council, under the leadership of Mayor Shey Musa Nfor, has acquired new anticipated high performance waste collection truck the only one of its kind currently in use among the 34 councils in the region.
This major investment comes on the heels of an another bold decision; the suspension of Nkambe’s participation in the 2025 National clean city contest. Instead of competing, the council opted to support the regional capital, Bamenda, in its bid to emerge as the cleanest city in the country. Mayor Shey Musa Nfor, known for his results-driven leadership style, explained that this gesture of solidarity is designed to motivate and encourage Bamenda to rise above its past sanitation challenges and reclaim its once-envied status as a clean city. The move has been praised by many, who see it as a perfect blend of visionary leadership and regional unity.
The newly acquired waste truck is just one aspect of a broader sanitation drive under the council’s “Clean Habits, Clean City” campaign.
Launched in 2021, the campaign has seen Nkambe rise through national rankings from 10th position in 2022 to 2nd cleanest council in 2024. This upward trajectory has been fuelled by relentless community mobilisation, education campaigns, beautification projects, and waste management innovations.
To complement the truck’s arrival, Nkambe Council plans to construct a modern waste transformation system, set up additional neighbourhood sanitation units, expand education on cleanliness habits, and execute more massive clean-up campaigns. The beautification of public spaces to match upcoming Ring Road development standards is also underway.
According to the council, these efforts are not about winning contests but about transforming culture.
The impact of this new acquisition cannot be overstated. For over a decade, the city of Bamenda has struggled with visible waste accumulation and a poorly coordinated waste management system. The once-proud Bamenda Urban Council, which benefited in the past from international support from Portsmouth City in the United Kingdom, no longer boasts any functional modern waste collection truck. The result has been an increasingly dirty and disorganised urban landscape something that Bamenda’s residents and leaders are now eager to reverse.
Nkambe’s latest actions shine a bright light on what is possible when leadership is proactive and communities are engaged. The council’s decision to suspend its participation in the 2025 contest is not an abdication of its role but a powerful statement of maturity, confidence, and solidarity. It says, in effect, “We have done our part now it’s your turn.”
In Nkambe, the population has fully bought into the council’s campaign, turning cleanliness into a civic duty rather than a forced policy. The hope is that this spirit will extend to Bamenda, which is now preparing to host the 2025 National Clean City Contest.
The challenge for Bamenda is clear. With the spotlight now fully on the regional capital, the city’s three subdivisional councils that is Bamenda I, II and III and the Bamenda City Council must work hand-in-hand to restore order, instil responsibility among residents, and rebuild a sanitation system that functions effectively. The example of Nkambe proves that this is entirely achievable.
By Bakah Derick
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