Society

Yaounde: Dusty Vogt roads pose health risk as construction works abandoned.

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15 Jul 2024 20:41
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Commercial motorcycle rider struggling through dusty road

Some two abandoned road projects in the Vogt neigbourhood in Yaounde III Subdivision, Mfoundi Division of the Centre Region, have turned out to be a health risk, residents say.
Works on the roads have ceased for two months.

The stretches are now dusty and bumpy making circulation and breathing difficult.

Most residents of the area, especially those involved in petty trading along the road, said life has become unbearable.

A business owner around the area said the road engineers were spotted working on the stretches for those five days. Since then, our respondent indicated that no one is aware of what is happening.

The stretch between College Jeanne Aligue Messi and the Catholic University, UNICASTY, is worst. Gravel and sand scattered on the road has left it constantly dusty with even pedestrians battling to see clearly.

A boutique owner in the neighbourhood told The Guardian Post that he is aware of the danger he is exposed to given the abandoned works but is forced to stay on because he has no other source of livelihood.

Besides suffering from cough repeatedly, our respondent indicated that most clients no longer come to his shop because of the terrible nature of the road.

A road user, Nzouessa Santee Thierry, recounted having witnessed an accident on the stretch a few days ago. He urged authorities to take immediate actions to address the situation.

A commercial bike rider, Bairou, on his part, said he long stopped using the Vogt Road given its terrible nature.

Bairou said he mostly works in the Bonas neighbourhood to avoid putting his health and that of passengers at risk.

Speaking to The Guardian Post, Dr Nke of Centre Medical Grace Divine Efoulan, said road users can get sick after inhaling dust.

Dr Nke explained the risk of lung sicknesses and inflammation of Bronchitis. This, he said, could last long depending on the quantity of dust inhaled.

The medic urged road users to either avoid such paths or put on sophiscated nose masks.

Besides Vogt, Yaounde has a broken road network. Among them, some had long been awarded to companies for rehabilitation works but nothing has changed.

By Nieh Mercy (Journalism student on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3169 of Monday July 15, 2024