These shocking occurrences on our highways are becoming disturbingly regular. Too regular indeed, leading many to question whether national conscience continues to be sensitive over the loss of human life. We have become very familiar with laconic messages issued by public officials each time an accident of such magnitude occurs. It has become routine, indeed. Each time, the immediate response is by way of sanctions promised by the supervisory ministry. To remain faithful to this tradition which borders on scandalous indifference, the Minister of Transport issued a statement in which he expressed his condolences and promised sanctions. Sanctions have become an automatic reaction to these accidents; as if sanctions against those held responsible for these accidents have ever helped in reducing their occurrence.
In the Boumnyebel case, the various security agencies are unanimous about the recklessness of the driver of the “Coaster” bus who undertook to overtake a lorry on the third lane, leading him into a head-long collision with an oncoming truck. How effective would be sanctions on a driver who is already dead? Ineffective, of course!
At the very best, Comfort Voyages, the owner of the bus will be suspended for a few weeks or months. But it is almost certain that when emotions over such a heavy death toll will reduce, the Minister will lift a possible suspension sanction and the company will be back at work or… business as usual, as if nothing ever happened. To press our point, just think of recent similar cases.
And even if the immediate official reaction was to remain emotional, how come, no high- profile personality was around the scene? Our reporter acknowledged the presence of the local commander of the gendarmerie unit. But even if the afflicted families were not to have their dear ones “resurrected”, a visit by the local D.O., the SDO, the governor or the Minister of Transport within minutes or hours would have had more weight than pages and pages of press statements released from air-conditioned offices while embattled family members were actively searching for bodies or information on dear ones.
It is very easy to accuse President Paul Biya for every ill Cameroonians suffer from. But does anyone expect the President to have rushed to Boumnyebel when top-level leaders he has appointed to oversee the transport sector sit comfortably, concerned more about their emoluments and benefits than serving the people?
The consolation visits we are suggesting will never solve the problem of recurrent accidents; but they are a clear expression of intent of government’s resolve. Sanctions have clearly shown their limit and the seriousness of the situation (2,000 deaths from accidents in a year!) is sufficiently alarming to beg for urgent answers. Otherwise, the whole existence of a Ministry of Transport, among whose role is road security, can be put to question.
