Increase In Fuel Prices: Bamenda Transporters Not Bothered, Say Passengers Would Pay Dearly

   

Dusty Bamenda Looking More Like A Forgotten Town

By Raymond Dingana

For the past seven years now, and counting, the population of Bamenda and its environs, in the crisis battered North West Region of Cameroon has been grappling with one challenge or the other.

Bamenda is one place in Cameroon where people move on the streets talking to themselves, making one to think they are having a sole proprietor meeting, whereas its life peppering them.

Bad roads, epileptic electricity supply, kidnapping for ransom, harassments at security checkpoints, just to name but these are some of the difficulties steering the population in the face on a daily basis.

Just when the people were coming to terms with the above mentioned challenges, the government landed another bomb shell, the hyke in fuel pump prices, which is threatening to tear communities apart.

Instead of drivers struggling to see how they can seduce government see in their situation in Bamenda, and perhaps reduce some of the documents they need to circulate, they have rather resorted to extorting poor passengers many of whom haven't seen an increase in their take home packages, especially those in the private sector.

" I leave at cow street, and work in town. I used to pay 200 FCFA, but today, drivers are charging 350/400 FCFA. Nothing has been added to my monthly pay. How I'm I supposed to survive with my kids,"

 Mbua Angela, a mother laments.

Another lady, Pepetua said she works as a hair dresser in Bamenda, and going to work for the pass days has not been trouble free.

"Taxi drivers now charge 300FCFA from Foncha Junction to Mile 2 under the pretext that fuel pump prices have gone up,"

she said.

Transporters Say Government Should Be Blamed For What Ever Pain Population Is Facing

Taxi drivers have been struggling almost in vain to explain their decision to unanimously increase transport fair.

They say they were copping with the numerous security check points that forced them to 'settle control' as they call it, coupled with the bad roads until the coming of the  increment in fuel pomp prices.

JoJo as he requested to be called said:

" We don't have a choice but to increase fare per drop in Bamenda. We are not bordered, because we are sure to collect from the population.We in  business, and not charity, so government should take her responsibility and ease the burden on the population," 

said JoJo the taxi man.

With recent changes in transport fare in Bamenda, and it's environs, one needs not a sooth sayer to be told that tougher days lie ahead.

New Fare Per Drop In Bamenda 

Reports yet to be confirmed are indicating that during a meeting that held in Yaounde Monday 19th February,2023 between the Minister of Trade, Transport Syndicates, and Consumers' Rights Groups, it was agreed that fare per drop in Bamenda would move from 300-350FCFA during the day, and 400FCFA at night. 

Denizens would now have to add the high cost of leaving that is almost breaking their backs to the dusty Roads in Bamenda, insecurity, kidnapping for ransom, harassments at security checkpoints, amongst others to the list of challenges they must wrestle with, while hoping for Divine  Intervention.

It should be recalled that during his end of year message to Cameroonians, President Paul Biya hinted that fuel pump prices were going to be readjusted. It came to pass and today, the prescious liquid is sold at 840 from 730 FCFA.

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