The rain, it is believed, will help protect people from airborne diseases and usher in blessings for the New Year.

Inhabitants of Yaounde heaved a sigh of relief yesterday evening following some light rainfall in some neighbourhoods in the city. The rain comes after close to two months of scorching heat and dust that invaded the city. In the past three weeks, life has been unpleasant for many inhabitants of Yaounde especially with the advent of the dry season. Due to the dust and dry winds, many people suffered from cold, conjunctivitis, dry skin and several airborne diseases. Marie Brigit who lives in the Mvan neighbourhood could hardly speak to her colleagues nor open her eyes yesterday. She said she was suffering from cold as a result of the dusty weather. After receiving treatment, she managed to go to work. This is the situations many people are facing in Yaounde these days. The bad and dusty state of roads in most neighbourhoods has made life almost unbearable due to poor driving by some drivers. Mathew O. who lives in the Mendong neighbourhood said all his three children were sick due to the dust. His wish is that the rain will fall at least once before the New Year celebrations so that the festivities will go on smoothly. “The rain should fall so that it will wash away all sickness. It is the rain that will bring some relief,” he said. And the rains finally came!

In some neighbourhoods such as Etoug-Ebe, Biyem-Assi, Mendong, etc the streets have become too dusty. Most of the buildings, trees and flowers along the roads are already covered in dust. In some localities, the inhabitants, mostly shop owners and petty traders who sell food items such as fruits and vegetables along the streets, have resolved to various methods of preventing dust from landing on their goods. Some people sprinkle water daily along the road as a way of preventing the dust, while others prefer to sprinkle engine oil which they believe will prevent the dust for a longer period. Justine Balla who sells in a makeshift restaurant said the dusty atmosphere is a hindrance to business these days as many customers are not attracted to food items which are covered in dust. She however said she covers her food well to prevent dust from contaminating it.

Officials of the Yaounde IV Council, Biyem-Assi say some of the roads are repaired by the inhabitants themselves. The source however said plans are underway to repair the degrading roads in the area but this will be done within available means.