New Bell Nord: Inhabitants Relieved of Flooding

Regions

Christopher JATOR | 21-03-2017 23:03

 The area now attracts businesses and leisure seekers who trek its length just to have a feel

Anyone who has lived in New Bell is certainly not a stranger to the recurring flood events and menaces from rats and mosquitoes in the North of the neighbourhood. The story today is a different one. Not only has it been transformed with the construction of the canal that crosses the area but is also turned into a little tourist haven, attracting small businesses and leisure seekers who trek its length just to have a feel.
Once overwhelmed with waste, grass, and stagnant water, the large canal that passes beside Marché Central and Marché des Chèvres, whose construction kicked off only towards the end of 2016, was the major cause of mud in the area through out the wet seasons. Now concrete has been laid to its walls and floor and borders filled and levelled with lateritic soil which gives a beautiful look.
“Indeed, the canal is good. Before then there was mud all over here, flooding was an event we battled with during this time of the rainy season, with rats and mosquitoes we lost enough food and damages, suffered malaria. I have more customers now than when the canal had not yet been constructed. Customers could not come because of flood waters, mud and filth all around us, but now I have many customers. On good days I can have a total sale of FCFA 20,000, compared to FCFA 10,000 or FCFA 12,000 before the construction.” Rachel Asta Rekdai, who brews and sells locally made millet drink “bili bili”, made the appreciation to Cameroon Tribune March 20.
As concerns the level of work, most of the canal has been constructed except for some sections. The drainage project by the Douala City Council is being executed by the French company Razel. Construction work is due to be over in 24 months.
 

Ils ont dit

Jean Robert Afoting: « Avant, il y avait trop de souris »

Riverain

« La situation d’avant et celle de maintenant sont incomparables. Avant, il y avait trop de souris et de moustiques. Maintenant, ça va un peu et les ouvrages sont d’ailleurs très beaux. Cela dit, comme les travaux sont toujours en cours, on continue de subir quelques petits ennuis, mais pas comme avant. On a commencé à respirer de l’air pur et je suis certain que notre quartier présentera un nouveau visage quand les travaux vont s’achever».
 

Rachel Asta Rekdai: « Les clients sont revenus »

Commerçante à New Bell

« Nous apprécions ces travaux à leur juste valeur. Une fois qu’ils vont finir, beaucoup de nos ennuis vont disparaître aussi. Par le passé, après les pluies, il y avait de la boue par ici et on en a vraiment souffert. Quand il pleuvait, nous ne pouvions pas avoir de clients. Il y avait aussi les problèmes d’odeurs, de saleté… Tout cela chassait les clients. Mais comme ça a commencé à changer, les acheteurs reviennent déjà et le marché passe bien ».