When completed, the Mundemba-Isangele-Akwa road will speed up the development of the peninsula.
The people of Mundemba, Isangele and Kombo Abedimo Subdivisions are in an upbeat mood as rehabilitation works on the earth road that cuts across their localities show no signs of abating. Their optimism was bolstered on Friday, March 9, 2012, during the working visit by Colonel Bisse Evina Moise, Commander of the Military Engineering Corps, Douala, who inspected and assessed ongoing rehabilitation works on the Mundemba – Isangele – Akwa road.
Colonel Bisse Evina Moise revealed that “latest April 10, 2012” the over 70 kilometer stretch will be completed and delivered. He had slated delivery latest march 31, 2012, but heavy rains, limited laterite and late arrival of material makes it impossible to honour this deadline. Experts say it is common for the area to have rain 9 out of 12 months.
The current rehabilitation works by the Military Engineering Corps (French acronym GENIE MILITAIRE) started February 8, 2012; and so far work has been progressing non-stop. But what has been done? “A lot has been achieved. As of today, March 9, 61% of earth works have been realized while 70% of concrete works have been realized,” says Lieutenant Colonel Ako Egbe, Technical Chief of Works for the project. Dispatched to the project by the Minister of Defence, he informed CT that the stretch has about 106 culverts and at press time, 35 had already been emptied of blockage. More culverts and bridges are being built, and road deviation is in process.
Strategic significance
With a man-power of 57 made up of drivers of engines, mechanics, iron benders, bricklayers, electricians, etc; the local population encourages them cognizant of their mastery of the strategic importance of the road project. From “PKO0” to Akwa, the road passes through five major villages: Ikassa, Mosongiseli Balondo, Ediba Nyanga, Isangele and Akwa.
As the only access road into Bakassi, when completed, it will link up three Subdivisions of the peninsula, namely: Mundemba Subdivision, Isangele Subdivision and Kombo Abedimo Subdivision. The road will not only speed up development, but will facilitate the movement of persons to and from some parts of Bakassi. Moreover, contractors can easily bring in building material, commercial activities will boom and foodstuff, water and other amenities will encourage civil servants to take permanent residence in the zone. But despite the considerable progress, the inhabitants like Oliver Twist, wish that the Loum – Kumba – Mundemba – Akwa road project begins as early as possible.
