Pools of standing water along Street 2506 of Kassalafam II in New Bell may soon become a lake.

Crossing over to the famous Evangelical College from New Bell Bandjoun or to the Onion Market in New Bell from around the college is an experience any well-thinking city dweller may not want to come by again. This view is shared by most, if not all, road users including truck drivers, bike riders, as well as pedestrians.

Very visible are three pools of standing water completely dividing Rue 2506 Kassalafam II in New Bell into fragments, creating a dead-end which frustrates commuters. The glittering pools at once give a frightening look to any stranger in the area. According to residents along the stretch, the pools have been deepened by years of sheer rehabilitation neglect. Alexis Lomais, inhabitant, lamented how sudden the area has become a “death pool” where fatal and injurious accidents took place at least every week. “Now motorists evade the area, even the neighbourhood itself, except few trucks which manage to pass by. It’s not easy to access our homes.”

“The perennial pools were once said to be inhabited by a mysterious python. That has been causing us fear especially concerning the very many youngsters who play around,” explains old Emilia, who has lived along the street at least 20 years now. The python, Alexis confirmed, occasionally appeared in homes and disappeared into the standing water, now “Lake”. An elder of the neighbourhood, who asked not to be named, expressed their frustrations with the Douala Urban Council, who for some years have promised to rehabilitate the street but has not done so until now. On the stretch is found a board long ago by the Council indicating that the road was to be renovated and tarred. The company, Ketch, was supposed to have spent five months for rehabilitation and paving of gutters to complete.