By Etienne Nfor Liboh
After years of struggling with poor waste disposal and growing health risks, residents of Bamenda II are set to witness a major turnaround. The municipality will soon host Cameroon’s first large‑scale sewage and waste management plant, a project widely seen as a long‑awaited solution to the area’s mounting environmental challenges.
Waste management has long been a serious problem in Bamenda, with many neighborhoods overwhelmed by both biodegradable and non‑biodegradable rubbish. Streets, road junctions and streams have become dumping grounds, exposing residents to health and environmental dangers.
The situation has been worsened by an influx of imported drinks from neighboring Nigeria, whose non‑refundable bottles have complicated local recycling efforts. Against this backdrop, the recent unveiling of a modern waste management plant in Bamenda II comes as a timely intervention. Areas such as Miss Ngeng Junction, which has gradually turned into an informal tip, are expected to benefit significantly.
The initiative, in the pipeline since 2022, follows several visits by the Mayor of Bamenda II to Canada to negotiate and secure partnerships. The project was officially presented to the public by Emmanuel Ntoko and other representatives of Global Ventures, a Canadian‑based company.
More than a clean‑up exercise, the scheme is valued at around FCFA 3.2 billion and is expected to create substantial job opportunities, especially for young people. It also aims to generate electricity to power homes and businesses in Bamenda II, where the supply has remained unreliable. This challenge has been intensified by the ongoing crisis, which has driven many people to relocate to the municipality, increasing pressure on already stretched services.
With a growing population straining basic amenities, the project will also introduce a system whereby households can sell their waste to the plant operator. The rubbish will then be recycled into useful products for the community.
The plant will require about 15 hectares of land, either on a single site or split between two locations within Bamenda II. Speaking to the press, the Mayor of Bamenda II Council, Chenui Peter, reassured residents that work would begin shortly.
“We expect this project to kick off in February. The focal point of the project is here, and they have assured us they will return in February to carry out feasibility studies. They have asked us to provide land, and the Fon and District Officer have assured us that land will be made available,” he said.
The Mayor further highlighted the employment potential, noting that “around 15,000 young people from the municipality will be recruited.” Other facilities within the waste management complex will include schools, hospitals and restaurants. Products to be manufactured include tiles, manure, fertilizer and various other recycled materials.
Emmanuel Ntoko, a Cameroonian youth and representative of Global Ventures in Canada, described the choice of Bamenda II as timely. He said his visit aimed to verify conditions on the ground. “I came to confirm that what the mayor had been telling us is actually true – to ensure the project is not just on paper, but will happen in due course and very soon,” he explained. Councilors of Bamenda II Municipality praised Mayor Chenui and his international partners for securing the project and called on the public to support its successful implementation.
If effectively delivered, the Bamenda II waste management plant could mark a turning point not only for the municipality but for urban waste management across Cameroon. Beyond cleaning up the environment, the project promises jobs, energy and economic opportunities – turning waste from a persistent problem into a source of hope and development for the people of Bamenda II.