THE ROAD THAT CAME AT LAST

THE ROAD THAT CAME AT LAST

It is said that where a road passes, development follows. That is why different groups of people have pinned hopes on the roads that are supposed to link their own localities. The talk in the South West Region of Cameroon today is about the road to Akwaya and the Kumba-Mamfe Road.  In the North West Region, it is about the road to Furu Awa and the Ring Road that links five of the North West Regions` seven Divisions. For all of these groups of people, there will be great joy the day their roads are finally done and delivered.

For now though, there are already smiles on the faces of inhabitants of the villages of Alahtening, Baba II, Mbu-Baforchu, Bawock and the larger Bali entity. After decades of speculation, hopes and dashed hopes, there is today every indication that the road that links those villages from the Mile 8 Junction in AKum to Bali is being done up at last. And what`s more, there seems to be a lot of earnest enthusiasm about it.

Eyewitnesses from those villages testify that work is seriously going on throughout the length and breadth of the road from Mile 8 Akum right to Bamock. When completed, it will be linked to the international highway that runs from Bamenda and passes through Bali, Batibo, Mamfe and goes on to Ekok in Nigeria. Right now the Alahtening-Bali road is being dug and enlarged with the next stage being that of tarring. According to some accounts, provision is being made for street lights too.

Anyone who has trekked along the road until now will surely know that the new road will change a lot of things and a lot of ways things are done when it comes. I remember that driving to Mbu-Baforchu was always a daunting task with one choosing to use either the said road with all its deterrent mud, or to take the longer option through Bali from Bamenda. The new road is expected to make life easier and more enjoyable and also to attract development to the villages involved.

One eyewitness remarked: “My God! You need to be there to see the number of times sons of the place like Governor Acham Peter Cho, Senator Achidi ACHU AND Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi drive along the road to encourage those who are working on it!”

When the time comes, one will have to learn to cope with the new dispensation that involves new people and new manners. At that time, nothing will ever be the same again.