After three months closure: Population jubilate as Ndop-Bamenda highway goes operational.

The road was reopened after months of closure following a ban imposed by separatist fighters. Amba fighters had banned movement of vehicles and persons along the highway in mid November 2022.

On the night of Monday February 13, 2023, a voice message circulated on social media, reportedly from separatists in Ndop, indicating that the ban had been lifted.

Same message stated that movement was to resume Tuesday February 14. Early Tuesday morning, commuters and drivers gathered at the Ndop Park and other junctions, all ready to leave for Bamenda.

Many amongst them said they were very happy that the situation had returned to normal. According to George Ndonke, it was more than a lockdown imposed on them.

He told this reporter on telephone that he is personally happy because the situation was already becoming unbearable.

"We are really happy because it has not been easy for the past months. We spent Christmas and New Year celebrations under lockdown. I am happy that those in charge heard our cry," Ndonke said.

For most of the drivers, the reopening of the road offers a chance for them to work money and recover from the losses incurred during the past months.

In Bamenda, drivers were already spotted at their usual park at Mobile Nkwen, hustling passengers and ready to leave for places like Ndop, Kumbo and Nkambe.

"I am very happy about the decision because when this started, we were forced to go through Bambalang, Balikumbat to Mbouda before reaching Bamenda. The road is not even good. It is very easy for me now to go to Bamenda even five times a day without stressing," Gideon, a taxi driver said.

The drivers said they have been instructed by the Amba fighters who banned movement on the road to collect only a maximum of 2,500 FCFA per person as transport fare from Ndop to Bamenda.

During the three months ban, inhabitants of the three divisions of Ngoketunjia, Bui and Donga Mantung were forced to go through the West region to arrive their destinations.

They were also forced to pay over 15,000 FCFA for those in Donga Mantung division to arrive Bamenda. Several human and material damages were recorded as a result of the ban.

Earlier this month, three cargo vehicles were set on fire in Bamessing village while transporting foodstuffs to Bamenda. A similar incident was reported in Ndu subdivision.

In mid-November 2022, separatist fighters in Ndop had released a voice message on social media warning vehicle owners of plying the Bamenda-Ndop road.

They had conditioned the ban on the relocation of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR camp in Bamessing village.

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Ngoketunjia, Handerson Quetong Kongeh in response to the ban had stated that authorities in Ngoketunjia never asked for soldiers to be stationed in Bamessing. He added that they did not also have the power to order them to leave.