Bamenda-Ndop: Passengers face perilous challenges due to separatist ban

By Wilson Musa

For close to three weeks, civilian cars cannot cross over between Ndop and Bamessing, in Ngoketundjia division, North West region.

A faction of separatists under Ambazonia Restoration Forces are said to have banned the circulation of cars , threatening to take actions against defaulters.

Travelers intending to reach other parts of Ngoketundjia, Donga Mantung, Bui and Bamenda, have to pass through Bafoussam then Foumbam from Bamenda while those going to Bamenda will use the same road.

CNA learned that these roads are degraded forcing travellers to spend hours during mud-tight situations.

Parks are empty

The Ndop park at Mobile Nkwen in Bamenda has been almost empty for two weeks now as the usual loading and offloading is gradually dying down.

Buses and small vehicles used to play the Bamenda-Ndop stretch are packed. Many just heat their engines to see that the cars are in good shape. No one dares to use the normal road which cost 1500-2000frs “I am afraid to go down through the usual road because these armed men can burn my car and it is my only source of income” a driver told CNA reporter.

Faced with the road block, drivers have opted to go round. That is leaving the North West, passing through the West before getting back into the North West “ we are now forced to go through Koupa-Matapit in the Noun division of the West before entering into Babessi in the North West then we continue our journey… This is very tiring and costly; about 10000-25000frs” another driver explained.

Adding to the increase in kilometres covered, bad roads and constant breakdowns. Divine a driver plying the road says “I have just resorted to petty jobs in the quarter because my car is old. It cannot stand the long distance and also the roads are bad”

These drivers tabled their plights to the regional president of the transporters syndicate in the North West Kingsley Ayafor who disclosed efforts are being made to assist them ” this is not the first time the Bamenda-Ndop stretch is blocked by armed men. It has been like this every summer holiday… We took the matter to the SDO who provided military convoy but no one dares follow them because some drivers complained of being threatened and attacked thereafter “

The road block has according to the SDO for Ngoketunjia division in the North West region Handerson Quetong Kongeh, slowed down economic activities “crops harvested cannot get into neighbouring divisions. Farmers are stranded, transporters too and this is bad” Nonetheless more stringent security measures have been announced to address the issue “In the days ahead, we will launch a manhunt into neighbourhoods to catch these armed men and also patrols will intensify on the road to ensure that vehicles are not attacked. We are equally thinking of using private vehicles to transport people in and out of the division”

Handerson Quetong adds, the road into Bamessing village is open but the fear syndrome has taken hold of the people.

In the wait of a lasting solution, Ngoketunjia division in the North West is suffering the effects of the crisis.

Meanwhile the government forces have been using this raod without being attacked.