Douala: Soboum Inhabitants decry unhealthy surroundings
By Nde Laura
As you step into the locality of Soboum, in Douala three municipality, an unbreathable air knocks your nostrils off and send you holding your breath, but for how long? Inhabitants keep asking themselves, how long shall they continue to live, eat, sleep, and carry out other activities in such a dirty environment?
Gutters are filthy, blocking the drainage system. As the dirt last, it gets rotten and pollutes the environment exposing the locals to air and water-borne diseases such as cholera.
The unhealthy situation according to those who spoke to reporters has been provoked by some inhabitants who have connected their septic tanks to the gutters.
Business owners especially those selling food items say they can no longer continue to inhale the pungent smell in the air. “For someone to eat around this area is a problem. I used to sell food, but I no longer do so, due to the pungent smell, the situation is terrible,” Pauline lamented.
According to another Lady named Elinore, a known Landlord has built a hostel in the neighborhood but has been using pipes to connect the septic tanks to the gutters.
“Most of their kids play around these gutters and are exposed to all sorts of diseases.”
The accused Landlord, Richard pleaded guilty but said he is not alone.
Reacting to their cry, officials of the Hygiene and Sanitation department of the Douala three Council recently deployed agents to the area to apply disinfections.
The population however have insisted that they are expecting concrete actions to be taken by the council with regard to the issue and against defaulters.
