Once a bustling hub of commercial activity in Kumba, Tavern Street has been left to decay and rot by the City Council and its Mayor, Gregory Mewanu.
Unlike other streets and neighbourhoods in the Green City that have seen some sort of road rehabilitation over the years, Tavern Street has been completely forgotten and left to wallow in mud and dust. The City Mayor’s neglect of this vital street has had far-reaching consequences, crippling businesses and stifling economic growth. Despite being one of the biggest streets in Kumba in terms of businesses and development, Tavern Street has been abandoned by the City Council, which has refused to carry out maintenance work on the road.
The frustration on the street has grown, especially as individual efforts by those with means to fix the road have been blocked by the City Council, which has, on its part, failed to do the work.
The road’s poor condition has made it difficult for customers to access businesses and services, leading to a decline in patronage. Kanton Hotel, Taven Hotel, Sawalabo Bar, Platinum Snack Bar, and Vianilo Hotel are just a few of the many businesses that have been affected. Sata School, a prominent educational institution, is also located on this street, and the road’s condition has made it challenging for students and staff to commute.
The situation is particularly ironic given that Tavern Street is the main road leading to the Kumba High Court. The state counsel and other court officials, who are supposed to frequent this road, are instead forced to navigate the potholes and dust. The neglect of this road has gone a long way to show a stark example of the City Council’s lack of prioritisation of the city’s infrastructure, as well as the well-being of local investments.
The short and long-term effects of this abandonment are detrimental to Kumba’s economic development. Because of the neglect, businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and some have even closed their doors.
The loss of revenue from these businesses also has a bad implication for the town and residents, as the ripple effect continues to be job losses and decreased economic activity.
While neglecting Tavern Street, the Mayor has nonetheless embarked on repairing other roads within urban confines with no economic impact on the city. The number of jobs lined up directly and indirectly are up to over 200 Family heads that could lose their daily bread if their businesses close due to the City Council’s inaction. As elections draw nearer a gesture in the right direction would be a worthwhile investment for the City Mayor, as the SDF is teeming up to reclaim all its lost territory.
The City Mayor’s inaction on this matter is puzzling, especially considering the importance of Tavern Street to the city’s economy. Many believe that the neglect of this road is a clear indication that the city council and its mayor are not prioritising the needs of the citizens.
By Andrew Nsoseka