The Mundemba-Isangele-Akwa road that was a mere track some years ago, is now motorable thanks to the completion of rehabilitation works by the Military Engineering Corps (Genie Militaire). The current rehabilitation works which cost the state CFA 200 million, started on February 8, 2012. It was with satisfaction that Mr. Benoît Parfait Mbole Mbole, Sub-Director of Rural Roads in-charge of Western Services at the DRR/MINTP (Ministry of Public Works); made the journey from Yaounde to the Bakassi zone for the reception of the road on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
In the company of Colonel Moise Bisse Evina, Commander of the Douala-based Military Engineering Corps, Mr. Mbole Mbole inspected and assessed the over 70-kilometre stretch. After three hours of thorough inspection, the Sub-Director did not only appreciate the job done but expressed the wish for more collaboration between the MINTP and the Ministry of Defence for the realization of more of such projects through the Military Engineering Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Nelson Ako-Egbe, Technical Chief of Works for the project disclosed that movement by vehicles on the road that was at 2 percent, “is now at 200 percent”. “Although this is an earth road, it looks like a big tarred road,” he said, noting that a lot of swampy areas where vehicles could not pass have been rectified with laterite and compacted earth.
Strategic Road
Cognizant of the strategic importance of the road, the local population encourages the Genie Militaire which has a manpower of 56 made up of drivers of engines, mechanics, iron benders, bricklayers, electricians, etc. From “PKOO” (mile 00) to Akwa, the road with a total of 132 culverts passes through five major villages: Ikassa, Mosongiseli Balondo, Edibanyanga, Isangele and Akwa.
As the only access road into Bakassi, it now links up three Subdivisions of the peninsula, namely: Mundemba, Isangele and Kombo Abedimo. 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 while commercial activities will boom and foodstuff, water and other amenities will encourage civil servants to take permanent residence in the zone.
