Bamenda faces waste management crisis and flooding risks

Bamenda is facing a significant waste management crisis, particularly within its Central Business District on Commercial Avenue. Traders and residents have been accused of using the main thoroughfare as a dumping ground for plastics, cartons, and food waste. This accumulation of refuse has led to hygiene concerns and increased health risks for the local population.

The waste problem poses a direct threat to urban infrastructure. Discarded materials frequently block gutters, culverts, and drainage channels, which exacerbates flooding during rainy seasons. While some residents blame the unhygienic behavior of traders, others criticize the municipal authorities and garbage collection companies for failing to provide adequate trash cans and disposal sites.

In response to these challenges, Bamenda II Mayor Chenwi Peter has launched a multi-billion waste management scheme. The initiative aims to transition waste management from occasional clean-up efforts into a substantial urban investment, focusing on the potential for collecting, transporting, and recycling waste to keep pace with the city's growing population.