To protect the national road infrastructure, authorities of the South West Region recently went sensitising the public on the sustainable use of roads. On the occasion, Jean Claude Obam, Inspector General in the South West Governor’s office led a team of Public Works experts to roads in the area. Awoh Denis Ndang, South West Regional Delegate for Public Works led the team to the Muyuka-Muyenge earth road and the Limbe-Douala stretch of  tarred road.

While on the field, the experts cautioned against paved road deterioration from excess loading, burning of tyres on the road, spilling of fuel and other lubricants, and the obstruction of drainages. In the case of earth roads, the experts decried scarcity of quality road construction laterite because villagers pose difficult terms for exploiting it. The poor attitude of some villagers who dig certain portions roads to force motorists to pay for a push was condemned. Non-respect of rain-gates by truck drivers, poor performance by some road construction contractors equally came under criticism as human causes to road degradation. Yet excessive rain fall, run-off water crossing the surface of the road and loose soils of the area were highlighted as natural causes of earth road degradation.

As solution, the state sanctions vandalism on roads through fines and seizure of drivers’ licenses. It is equally advised that when it rains, trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes and transport vehicles carrying 12 or more passengers must stop and resume their journeys only four hours after. The experts reminded road users that the movement of any vehicle weighing over 50 tonnes requires special authorisation. Mr Jean Claude Obam urged the public to ensure that hard-earned public utilities like roads are protected jealously. He said stealing of road equipment and collection of volcanic aggregate on roads for personal use as concrete must be checked. As a particular measure in the area, cocoa and sand dealers with heavy duty vehicles were cautioned to cooperate with authorities in protecting roads.

The officials also visited the truck-weigh station at Misselele on the Limbe-Douala Road. They recalled the European Union’s assistance to improve the station as a tool of checking road misuse. Mr Mbaga Gomer, head of the Misselele Weigh Sstation, told Cameroon Tribune that the station handles an average of 5,000 vehicles per month and makes some FCFA one million from fines from recalcitrant motorists who either try to escape being checked or are overloaded. He explained that in December, fines may rise to FCFA three million.