Maroua receives mechanical sweeper to improve urban sanitation

Célestine Ketcha Courtès, Cameroon’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has officially handed over a mechanical sweeper to the Maroua City Council. The equipment was provided through the C2D Urbain Regional Capitals Program to improve the cleaning of major roads, public spaces, and market areas in the Far North region's capital.

The initiative aligns with a national strategy to transition toward a circular economy by treating urban waste as an economic opportunity through recycling, composting, and energy recovery. This follows guidelines established during the May 2025 General Assembly on urban waste management in Yaoundé.

While the new machinery aims to address rapid urbanization and demographic pressure, local challenges remain. Residents and observers note that a mechanical sweeper alone may not resolve deep-seated sanitation issues, such as illegal dumping and inadequate waste collection chains. The long-term success of the donation will depend on rigorous maintenance, regular cleaning schedules, and a comprehensive sanitation strategy involving local authorities and community awareness.