Tarring of K’ba-Mamfe road shortens Buea-B’da travel

By Johnson Batuo

The ongoing construction of Kumba – Mamfre road is gradually altering travel and trade between the Southwest, NW and Douala, the Economic capital of Cameroon.

                Before the construction of this road, people from the SW travelling to Bamenda in the Northwest region had to pass through two regions – Littoral and West to get to their destination. 

                Also, travelers bound for Manyu division for example had to pass through three regions - Littoral, West and Northwest regions before getting to Mamfe. Most often, passengers to Mamfe had to pass the night in one of the travelling agencies in Bamenda before continuing their journeys.

                But the ongoing tarring of the Kumba-Mamfe road has not only shortened the distance but has also reduced the inconveniences and reduced the exorbitant transport fare passengers had to pay criss-crossing these three regions.

                Most of travelling agencies based in the Southwest region, that initially carried passengers to Mamfe or Bamenda through Douala now prefer the shorter Kumba-Mamfe road.  A makeshift park has already been created at Bachuo-Akagbe for Bamenda bound passengers.

                The ongoing construction of the Kumba – Mamfe road has also reduced trade links between Douala, the South West and Northwest regions.  With the tarring of the Ekok road most businessmen in the two Anglophone regions prefer to travel to Nigeria to purchase their goods. 

                Even some businessmen based in Douala prefer to pass through Bamenda, or Kumba-Mamfe to buy their goods in Nigeria often at cheaper rate.