The sale of unsafe drinking water is a common phenomenon in Cameroon especially in big towns and cities. In Yaounde water sold in plastic sachets is found along the roadside and in shops. The quality of water sold in sachets has been a cause for concern to the authorities. Recently, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mfoundi Division, Jean Claude Tsila signed an order forbidding the sale and consumption of water sold in sachets in the division. In line with the order from the SDO, the authorities of the Yaounde II Council were on the field last Wednesday March 30, 2011.
The authorities destroyed all water sold along the roadside in the five neighbourhoods that were visited. In Messa Mezala in the Mokolo neighbourhood, a warehouse was discovered where a huge quantity of sachet water not only for sale, but for the production of biscuits, sweets etc was discovered. The warehouse it is alleged serves as a centre falsification of expiry dates. It is alleged the owner of the warehouse has a well in the Simbock neighbourhood in the Yaounde VI Sub division from where he collects water for sale. Authorities of the Yaounde II Council say the magazine has been closed because the owner does not have any authorisation. The owner is also expected to provide the results of analysis of his products to ensure the safety of the public. The Chief of Service for Hygiene at the Yaounde II council, Salome Bera said the owner of the warehouse did analysis six month ago. She explained that every water company is supposed to carryout analysis every three months to be sure of the quality. Other water companies such as Zenith, Eau des Montagnes and Vaclaire were sealed because they do not have authorisation from the Ministry of Mines Industries and Technological Development (MINMIDT).
Under the supervision of the Mayor of the Yaounde II Council, Luc Assamba, the public were sensitised on the treatment of wells, preventive measures against cholera, measures to take in case of cholera attack. The team also distributed tracts and a note from the Mayor calling on the public to be vigilant and to take measures to avoid cholera in the community.
