Suspended agencies fail to operate in Douala despite the declaration to resume work

The six suspended interurban transport agencies in the North West region have failed to effectively continue their activities as declared in a joint communiqué they signed on September 19, 2023. Armed separatists had stopped their operation until further notice.

While at the Sodiko Bonaberi motor park and other agencies in the Douala 4 subdivision like Moghamo, Vatican, Garanti, the People’s Choice, Amour Mezam, buses were stationed and everywhere calm.

“Since morning, most of the agencies suspended had their buses parked. The park has been calm like never before. Some drivers only came to heat the engine” Mouko Affela , Administrator of the Sodiko Bonaberi moto park told CNA.

Speaking to the Garanti Express branch manager, Talla Henry he said “our offices are opened as we declared continuation of activities. Workers are there but passengers are not coming. They are scared to travel with our agency. This Wednesday morning we registered 5 passengers. But how can we transport just five passengers in a 70 seater bus to Bamenda? Impossible. So we had to send them to Nso Boyz and Oasis express who are working. We are actually ready to travel amid the threats because we did not commit any crime”.

At the Amour Mezam agency, the chief of the luggage department, Modibo Saly also said ” we have been here in the morning as usually to register passengers but on two have shown up. How do we travel with them. They told us to notify them when things have normalized so they can travel. Our buses are parked, drivers frustrated, particularly those from Bamenda. They are not used to Douala, imagine what they go through. They have nothing to eat, cloths to wear and where to sleep. Buses have become their bedroom.”

At other suspended agencies like People’s Choice and Vatican, the managers had taken a break as we learnt from workers they were not around.

Golden Express plying the Douala-South West road was fully operating, despite being suspended by the separatist fighters. The branch manager and passengers refused uttering a word.

Most of the suspended agencies are committed to continue their transport activities, but for safety reasons, passengers avoid becoming sacrificial lambs. These interurban transport promoters hope the suspension be lifted as quick as possible so that customers can be convinced to travel with them.