Kumba-Mamfe axis:

Nguti-Akak-Mamfe road cuts-off as bridge collapses

-Obang people now cut-off from the rest of the world by road

By EkumtambeEku in Mamfe

The famous Nguti-Akak-Ossing-Mamfe road that used to serve as the only corridor for commuters travelling to Mamfe from Kumba during the rainy seasons is now impassable. Reports say the road was ligatured when one of the age-old bridges on the road succumbed to the heavy weight of a timber truck and collapsed, dumping itself and the trailer with its contents into the Badi River. No life was lost in the accident, though the trailer suffered serious damages.

                Commentators say though the collapse of the bridge will make life even more difficult for the Obang people of Manyu division, who used the road as the only gateway to their enclave villages, it will at the same time also curtail the reckless and impunitous exploitation of timber from the Obang and EjaghamNjemaya forests.

                It should be recalled that only few weeks ago, irate villagers set a timber truck ablaze near Kembong in Eyumojock sub-division. The villagers complained that they have not seen any benefits the wanton timber exploitation was bringing to their communities.

                Recently on 24 March 2017, irate youths stormed the grand stand in Eyumojock town and disrupted the 32nd anniversary celebration of the CPDM party. The youths took the mayor of Eyumojock hostage, accusing him of siphoning money from timber royalyies into his private pockets. It took a reinforcement of security officers from Mamfe to free the Mayor and disperse the youths, who fled into neighbouring Nigeria.

                Sources say the timber truck that collapsed into the Badi River with the bridge has contaminated the river water with spilling fuel from its huge tanks. It is feared that the petrol might contaminate the drinking water in Ossing Village, whose water source is the Badi River.

sitors had paid to the Kumba city council.