Douala: urban disorder – roadside vendors say unfairly treated by authorities

Authorities in Douala, have continued the shut down and demolish unauthorized constructions by the roadside, with various businesses affected.

The municipal police of the Douala III municipality in their recent outing, said they are implementing the Mayor’s plan “to ensure the town is beautiful”.

Persons with makeshift shops have been the most affected. “We the poor, we don’t know what to do,” said one of the business persons in the BOCOM Nyalla neighbourhood, where the recent demolition exercise took place.

“Here, we are struggling to make ends meet. Struggling people are not thieves. The state instead has to look into our situation,” the disappointed roadside vendor pleaded.

According to the municipal police, the people had already been informed. “When you look at many of the buildings, you see the cross signs have been marked over a long time – some even since 2021,” Herve Ambatta – Director of the Douala municipal police said.

“A cross mark has to be respected. It no longer has to be neglected. Order has to return,” he added.

The municipal police director said the Mayor wants to send strong signals to everyone in the town of Douala. “No construction without a building permit. They need to regularize their situation,” he said.

Many of the affected business persons have expressed dissatisfaction with the action taken by the authorities. They believe there are other ways for the government to find solutions to the problem.