The Government Delegate to the Yaoundé City Council was on the field last Thursday April 5.

The Yaounde City Council has intensified its fight against disorder in the city. For close to two weeks now, workers of the City Council in collaboration with security forces, have been clearing up the city. The team was on the field once more on Thursday April 6, 2012.

The areas concerned were Mvog-Atangana Mballa, Mvog-Mbi, Etam Bafia and Nkoldongo. The operation that was led by the Government Delegate to the Yaoundé City Council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, entailed the demolition of shops and stalls illegally constructed in markets and on pavements. Hawkers were also chased away from streets and strategic areas. As a result, movement was almost brought to a halt in the Olezoa and Mvog-Mbi neighbourhoods as hawkers struggled to flee with their belongings.

Despite their efforts, much was still damaged. Workers of the Yaounde City Council and security forces backed by caterpillars, trucks and other equipment, demolished shops, boutiques, hairdressing saloons, furniture, among others. One of the traders, Jean Claude O. said the City Council authorities had warned them of the operation only 24 hours before. “We did not have enough time to quit. We were surprised to see them here today,” he said.

Another trader, Lydia M. said the operation came as a surprise. She said she has lost all of her belongings. Even though many traders lost their belongings, some however acknowledged the fact that order has to be restored to the city. At the arrival of the Government Delegate to the Yaounde City Council, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, many hawkers started chanting, “Our Father, Jacques Bauer!”

The operation is part of efforts by the Yaoundé City Council to beautify the city. The seized goods were later moved to the Municipal Garage to be burnt while the rest were taken to the Nkolfoulou Refuse Dump near Yaounde. A source at the Yaounde City Council says the operation is to ease movement and to restore order in the city. The source also said the Yaounde City Council is working hard to ensure the safety of lives and property in the city.