The campaign trail first stopped at the Central Market, and taken round the market by the traders’ representative, Yomi. Candidate Christophe Eken who moved from one shed to shed listening to propositions of various traders, was greeted with a handful of problems at the market. Far from the handshakes that punctuated the tour, the business people raised security problems, uneasy accessibility among catastrophes like some markets constructed on risk zones.
Although three Police Stations surrounds the market, the business people said perpetual crimes like pick-pocketing, physical assault and risks of use of illegal firearms are constant threat they face every day in the markets. One characteristic about markets in the economic capital is the burgeoning presence of foreign traders blamed on the high risk of illegal importation of weaponry, drugs and illegal cigarettes. The business people urged Christophe Eken to stand as a lobbying machine between them and government, particularly encouraging government implantation of more security posts as well as step up fire fighting measures in and around the markets.
Candidate Eken on his part promised a more close collaboration with the business people if they should return him to office. “I want to work closely with business people, take your worries to the competent authorities, but without meddling with the management of the markets,” he told the traders. He encouraged the 13,000 business men and women in Douala eligible to vote to turn out massively for the exercise which determines the future of their ventures. The traders are voting at stations set up in the markets.
