Bamenda City Council Mayor Updates on Progress and Challenges
During the Bamenda City Council's 2nd Ordinary Session for the midterm evaluation of the 2025 financial year, Mayor Achobong Tembeng Paul provided an update on various ongoing projects, notably the reconstruction of the Bamenda Main Market, which was devastated by a fire on February 22, 2024. The session, held on August 22, 2025, in the council's auditorium, saw the participation of City Councilors, some Mayors the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Mooh Simon Emile, and other dignitaries.
Aerial view of the market project
Mayor Achobong emphasized the council's commitment to fast-tracking the market project, expressing optimism about its completion. He noted that project execution in the city is currently over 80%, although some projects remain uncounted due to delays in heavy-duty equipment delivery. Among the completed projects are over 7 kilometers of double surface dressing, drainage systems, and a dam.
Mayor Achobong
The Mayor acknowledged significant challenges, particularly liquidity issues stemming from the ongoing crisis in the region. He explained that residents are hesitant to pay taxes and rents, adversely affecting the council's revenue. "In a crisis zone like ours, many businesses are struggling, leading to reluctance in tax payments," he stated. He also noted that even essential services like slaughterhouses are underutilized due to fears of theft.
Dr. Taniform Peter
The persistent "ghost town" phenomenon was also addressed. Mayor Achobong described it as a form of civil disobedience that further hampers tax collection. Dr. Taniform Peter, an economist and development expert, echoed this concern at the launch of the 6th Peace and Unity Tournament, arguing that ghost towns are counterproductive and detrimental to the region’s economic recovery. "Ghost towns are like shooting ourselves in the foot and expecting to wear a shoe afterwards," he said.
Regarding the Bamenda Municipal Stadium, the Mayor revealed that the council has formally requested rehabilitation from FECAFOOT but has yet to receive a response. He mentioned that the council is now seeking compensation of 100 million FCFA per month for lost revenue due to the stadium's deteriorating condition. "We have written to FECAFOOT to hand back the stadium to the city council, as they have not made any improvements in over a decade," he explained.
In a positive development, Mayor Achobong announced plans for a modern playground for children, which will include facilities for football, basketball, volleyball, and handball. "We want to ensure our children have a comfortable space to play, even as we await a response from FECAFOOT," he said, presenting the design for the new playground to the councilors.
The Mayor’s updates reflect both the progress being made in the city and the substantial challenges that remain as Bamenda continues to navigate its path to recovery.
By Bamenjo Petronilla