Traditional ruler praises the new system, calls it a model for Cameroon and says parts of it could be adapted to serve Bambui.
The Fon of Bambui, His Royal Highness Fon Angafor Momboo-h III, on Wednesday 21 January 2026, paid a working visit to the Bamenda III Council water project at a time when German engineers on the site are beginning to round up their optimisation mission.
The visit marked his second time at the project site. He first came in 2015, when the initial phase of the water scheme was being installed.
Speaking during the visit after a guided tour by the Mayor, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, the Fon expressed deep admiration for the transformation of the project.
“I am called Fon Angafor Momboo-h III, the Paramount Fon of Bambui. I am coming here for the second time. We were first here in 2015 and we saw the installation of the first project. We are coming now and we are seeing a completely new system put in place,” he said.
He thanked the Mayor of Bamenda III for what he described as visionary leadership.
“I thank the Mayor so much for thinking about his people. This is a wonderful system. Cameroon can learn from here because this is a centre of learning. Technology keeps changing, and you must continue to update,” the Fon said.
He stressed that access to water must go beyond speeches.
“When we say water is life, it is not only talking. It must be seen in action. All communities need water,” he added.
The Fon noted that Bambui has abundant water resources, but lacks proper systems to make the water safe and accessible.
“We have water in abundance, but it is not good enough for people to use. It must come through a system like this one,” he said.
According to the monarch, the purpose of the visit was to study the Bamenda III model and see how parts of it could be adapted for Bambui.
“We cannot copy everything here, but even if we take a portion of this system and plant it in Bambui, our people will benefit,” he explained.
The Fon came with a delegation that included the Chairman of the Bambui Village Council, President General of the Bambui Cultural and Development Association, the Chairman of the Bambui Water Authority amongst others.
He said the main challenge ahead is funding.
“The biggest thing is finances. If we can mobilise our resources, we can meet up and do something for our people,” the Fon said.
The Mayor and project technicians briefed the delegation on the various components of the system, including the new pumping stations, solar powered reservoirs and work done on the dam.
The visit came as German engineers working with the Bamenda III Council begin to round up their optimisation activities, having installed key systems aimed at improving water circulation and sustainability.
For the Fon of Bambui, the Bamenda III water project is in his words, a living example that when leadership, technology and community effort come together, the promise that “water is life” can move from words to reality.
By Hilltopvoices Team
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