Population watches with excitement as excavator scoops mud from the river bed
By Richard Nde Lajong
Since Thursday, January 15, 2026 the bridge linking the City Chemist Roundabout and Sonac Street has been a major attraction to many a Bamenda people. No fewer than 300 people spend long hours watching excavators scooping through the beds of the river, mud and debris that have reduced the water way and always a major cause of some of the deadly floods on that bridge. The site has become like a tourist attraction when you listen to the positive comments onlookers make.
Randomly talking to The Herald Tribune, some of the onlookers at the site were optimistic about the construction works going on in the city of Bamenda. “From my observations, this rehabilitation works is going to transform this town upon completion. I am also very sure that the flood that usually occurred on this section of the road will be a thing of the past.”
Truck loaded with mud from the river bed
The speaker went further that “even the City Mayor was here unnoticed by many and saw how river bed was being dredged to prevent future floods. I think he himself saw and should be able to carry out similar exercises in other rivers that run across the town.”
Another on looker said he was impressed with what the BUNS company was doing to rehabilitate some of the streets in Bamenda. “If you hear the way people are appreciating the works going on, it shows that their cries over the years have been heard. I am happy with the company doing the work does it with a lot of seriousness and even the populations are happy.”
A majority of those who spend time on the site are commercial bike riders who feel that with the widening of the streets, there will be no more traffic holdups in most parts of the town especially the Sonac Street. “As a bike rider, I am happy that the road has been widened and this bridge that has taken so many lives is the most interesting site. That is why I am have been standing here to see how the technicians are working. We are encouraging the technicians to keep it up as shall all be very happy at the end.”
Inquisitive onlookers at construction site
Meanwhile, speaking off microphone, one of the Control Mission Engineers within six months, many people will not be able to recognise Bamenda again when the works would have far advanced. When asked why the various portions cannot be engaged at the same time, he said it is a gradual process and those on the right of way have to be removed by the City Council and not the engineers. As soon as that is done, the company will engage in those areas.
It is worth noting that the construction company, BUNS had issued a communique stating that works on the bridge between Vatican Express and Guarantee Express will be completed in two months, appealing to commuters to respect the directives in order to ensure traffic fluidity.
