Entry to Bamenda paralyzed by Saturday lockdowns days to end- of-year festivities
Days to the festive period, the entry to Bamenda, the regional capital of the North West remains a major challenge with a Saturday lockdown which entered its fourth week on Saturday December 21, 2024.
The negative impact has been enormous on traders and other business operators. Interurban transport vehicles and freight vehicles are forced to parked at Matazem, the entrance of the North or at Mile 12 in Santa, then wait till Sunday Morning before taking the road.
“It has really been difficult for us traders who suffer a lot of losses when delicate crops like vegetables have to spend extra 24 hours before reaching destination. I was never informed of the lockdown and it caught me by surprise. It has really paralyzed me” cries a trader.
Passengers on their part going for the Christmas Holiday, are forced to stop in neighboring Mbouda in the West.
“I can’t take the risk of entering Bamenda this day. I left Yaoundé and made a stop at Mbouda as usual and it is there that I learned of the lockdown. It will delay my activities, that I know and i prefer than taking the risk of jumping into town ” Says a passenger.
This other imposed lockdown by suspected separatist fighters, is another attempt to jeopardize the end of year festivities in the crisis hit Region. It however exempts private cars and commercial bikes. These are the only means of entry into the North West Region during the Saturday lockdowns.
