Kumba Ekondo-Titi road: Euphoria among population as construction work advancing.

The first coat of tar on the road done by the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR, of the military, which is constructing the road, last week. 

Some inhabitants along the stretch of road say, once completed, it will bring enormous economic transformation not only to the lives of the people of the area, but to economic operators.

The works, which are already in an advanced state, has so far been going on without any major hitches as the enthusiastic population are giving their moral and civil contributions for the success of the project. 

Beginning at the Kumba Town Roundabout, the BIR has already put the gravel and compacted the road which has received the first coat of tar. Commuters say it will bring relief and enormous economic benefits.

Since the start of the construction work, elite, municipal authorities and traditional rulers have been to the road to encourage to BIR for the work and have also been calling on the people to shun vices that will jeopardise the smooth construction. 

In a message to the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of Meme, Ntou'ou Ndong Chamberlin, for upward transmission to the President of the Republic, Esapa Samuel, Senior Councillor of the Kumba City Council expressed gratitude to the Head of State for the project and urged the contractor to take measures to safeguard the road.

“…the last time we saw tar on this road was in 1972 and most people in that generation have died. So, some of us are witnessing it today as a blessing and we can't thank government enough for the wonderful project...," Senior Councillor Esapa said.

He called on the Kumba City Senior Councilors to take different measures to ensure that city dwellers don't destroy the road in the nearest future. 

On his part, Chief Nofuruh Ivens Disombe, Secretary General of the Meme Chiefs Conference, said before the works began, they, Chiefs whose villages are along the Kumba-Ekondo-Titi Road axis, had given their blessings to the project and hope the work will be completed successfully. 

The chiefs are also planning a visit to the road network to continue to encourage the population to give constant support and collaboration to workers to ensure a successful completion of the project. 

The custodians of the tradition have urged the contractor not to be afraid because what they're doing is backed by the gods.

It should be noted that in February 2023 there was equally excitement among the population when the road was first graded. 

At that time vehicles were seen plying the road with ease and attacks on vehicles by separatist fighters were reduced.

The Mayor of Ekondo-Titi, Utam Margaret and the Divisional Officer of Ekondo-Titi Subdivision, Mul Francis, back then, had hailed BIR for the high sense of professionalism in carrying out the project. 

This Story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3193 of Thursday August 08, 2024