The Nkambe Council has received a major boost in its ongoing “Clean Habits, Clean City” campaign with the official handing over of a newly constructed waste transformation centre in Binju, Nkambe. The initiative, supported by the North West Development Authority (MIDENO), marks a turning point in modernising sanitation infrastructure in the North West Region.
The ceremonial handover, which took place on Friday, June 13, 2025, was preceded by a capacity-building workshop on waste management, bringing together local group leaders and household representatives from across Nkambe town. MIDENO also donated essential waste collection equipment to participants, reinforcing the authority’s commitment to supporting grassroots engagement in environmental sustainability.
According to MIDENO officials, the construction of the centre in Nkambe is the pilot phase of a broader regional initiative aimed at improving waste management practices. According to our sources at MIDENO, Nkambe was selected for this phase not by chance, but by merit."
“The council’s tireless commitment to hygiene, cleanliness and community mobilisation through its Clean Habits, Clean City campaign clearly demonstrated their readiness for such an investment.” the source emphasised
Launched in 2021, Nkambe Council’s Clean Habits, Clean City initiative has been a resounding success, transforming the municipality into a sanitation model not only in the North West Region but across Cameroon. From sweeping victories in the National Clean City Contest moving from 10th position in 2022 to 2nd in 2024 to its voluntary suspension from the 2025 edition in order to support Bamenda’s bid for the top spot, Nkambe’s leadership has proven both strategic and selfless.
The Lord Mayor of Nkambe, Shey Musa Nfor, who has become synonymous with progressive municipal governance, expressed his gratitude to MIDENO for recognising the efforts of his council and reaffirmed their commitment to a cleaner, greener Nkambe.
With the acquisition of a modern waste collection truck earlier this year which is the only such specialised vehicle in the region and the construction of the Waste Transformation Centre, Nkambe now stands as the best-equipped council in the North West for managing urban waste.
The Waste Transformation Centre is expected to revolutionise waste handling in the area. It is expected that organic waste will be processed into fertiliser for agricultural use, while non-biodegradable waste will be sorted and prepared for recycling. Such an approach, environmental experts say, is a vital component of circular economy models being adopted in progressive cities worldwide.
“This is a very pragmatic approach. Waste is not rubbish. It is a resource. What Nkambe is doing is turning a problem into opportunity. It’s a lesson for the entire region.” Hilltopvoices Environmental Consultant Dr Julius Wirkiy noted
The council has also implemented neighbourhood hygiene units, initiated beautification projects, and continued with monthly clean-up campaigns involving civil society, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens. The culture of cleanliness has become so ingrained that the community’s buy-in is often cited as one of the campaign’s strongest achievements.
While many urban councils in Cameroon struggle with deteriorating sanitation conditions including Bamenda, which has not had a functional waste collection truck for decades? Nkambe is forging a new path. Once supported by Portsmouth City in the UK, Bamenda’s waste system has collapsed into near dysfunction due to lack of maintenance and clear accountability. Meanwhile, the Nkambe Council has not only maintained but scaled its operations with internal efforts and external partnerships.
The success in Nkambe also sends a clear message to other councils in the region: sustainable change is possible. MIDENO has hinted that similar waste transformation centres could be constructed in other municipalities, but only if councils show demonstrable commitment and results, much like Nkambe has.
The people of Nkambe have every reason to be proud. Their collective commitment and the visionary leadership of Mayor Shey Musa Nfor continue to place the municipality at the forefront of local governance innovation.
As the 2025 National Clean City Contest approaches, the stage is now set for Bamenda, backed by the gesture of solidarity from Nkambe to learn, adapt, and rise. And if there’s one lesson from Nkambe’s journey, it’s this: when people believe in clean habits, the city follows.
By Bakah Derick with reports for Hilltopvoices News
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