City Streets Clogged by Overflowing, Putrid Garbage in Douala

Douala: City streets clogged by overflowing, putrid garbage. The waste begins in the roadway’s median in the Brazzaville neighborhood, Douala 3 subdivision. A ride through this area progressively reveals an alarming environmental challenge.

According to Cameroon News Agency, the local residents are overwhelmed by the unmanageable waste situation. A hardware store owner expressed frustration, stating that they often find themselves cleaning their immediate environment and have reluctantly become accustomed to the sight of the garbage. Just a few meters away, a secondary school is surrounded by plastic debris and other waste carried by the wind, creating an unsanitary environment for students and staff.

The waste, comprised of daily household refuse, emits nauseating odors. The hygiene and sanitation company is responsible for clearing the waste every 48 hours, yet these efforts fall short. A man at the school entrance explained the dire need for regular waste removal to prevent health risks and improve livin
g conditions.

Stretching about one kilometer, the waste extends to the Dakar neighborhood, with empty trashcans abandoned beside the overflowing refuse. A resident highlighted that Hysacam, the sanitation company, only managed to collect a portion of the waste during their recent visit, leaving much of the garbage untouched.

In Bepanda, the waste clings to the walls of a secondary school and spills over gutters, further exposing the neglected environment. Marie, a long-time resident, noted that people from other areas contribute to the problem by dumping their waste there, exacerbating the situation.

In the Ndogsibi neighborhood, the persistent issue remains evident, leaving residents puzzled over its recurrence. Refuse is found in every major neighborhood, with the stench becoming unbearable when the wind blows, a local resident lamented.

Residents living along the roadside suffer significantly from the waste’s impact, with accidents often occurring on roads almost divided by the garbage. A young mother
expressed her distress, stating that the polluted environment affects her family’s quality of life, even during meals.

The local population continually proposes solutions, such as increasing waste collection frequency, adding more trashcans, and improving civic responsibility among residents. The situation in Douala underscores significant health risks, and without permanent solutions, it threatens to worsen, negatively impacting countless lives.