Fruitful Yaounde-Washington relations:

Populations of Lower Bokoko can nor drink pure water

 Lower Bokoko Water Project inaugurated

Inhabitants of lower Bokoko in Buea subdivision and its environs can now boast of free potable water. These follows the inauguration of the self-help funded community water project at Quarter 4, Lower Bokoko which took place Wednesday 7 June 2017 at the Government School Bokoko field.

                The project which lasted 4 months is a fruit of Cameroon-USA relations as 60% of the funding came from the US embassy in Yaounde and 40% from the Lower Bokoko Development Committe, LOBODEV, costing more than eight million FCFA.

                During the inauguration ceremony chaired by JullietteMarshamMacclure, development coordinator at the US Embassy, she called on the inhabitants of Lower Bokoko to continue to work as a team to ensure the sustainability of the constructed taps and tanks for their benefit for years to come. She noted that the US Embassy in Cameroon has funded 131 projects 18 of which are in the SWR.

                On his part, the chairman of LOBODEV and projects, Martin Nkemngu reported that appeals made to senators and parliamentarians of the Buea constituency to support the project yielded no fruit.

                "The representatives of the people should not forget that they will always need us in good and bad times," Nkemngu said.

                He warned beneficiary populations from doing laundry or washing of dishes, cars etc around the four taps, saying  defaulters will pay a fine of two thousand franc CFA

                Meanwhile, the DO for Buea, KouamWokam Paul said "the population of lower Bokoko should consider themselves lucky to have the rare opportunity of being provided water". He went further to hand the sum of 5O thousand FCFA to the chairman of the project as his own personal contribution to help sustain the population to take care of the water pumps.

                Just like Oliver Twist who asked for more food from the waiter, the inhabitants of lower Bokokoquater 4 thanked their partners through the quarter head, Mr. Richard who begged for more projects to be sponsored.

                A test was conducted on the water by an expert who confirmed that it is suitable for drinking. The over 18 thousand litre water tank will supply water for close to 8 thousand people in Wokoko, Bonduma, Ndongo, Molyko Check Point and other parts of Molyko.

                Aware of the need to maintain and sustain the project, a committee will be set up in the days ahead to manage the water. Management is very paramount in a project like this because if not done, the project will be considered as a golden ring in a pigs nose for water, the WHO says is life.