By SONE George in Tombel
The first phase of rehabilitation works of the 33km Kumba-Tombel-Loum road has been completed. According to SOWEDA authorities the completed project will now permit and boost economic activities along this important route in the region, connecting the city of Kumba in the Meme division, to the Tombel Sub-Division in the Kupe Muanengube Division and Loum in the Littoral. The stretch is a connection of two national roads; No.5 from Tombel and No. 8 from Kumba.
The rehabilitation of the Kumba-Tombel-Loum road is already bringing about significant change in business activities in the region as some drivers and bike riders plying the road now attest.
“ We are now having a smooth ride from Tombel to Kumba and Loum without any obstacles. This is good business for us,” says Okah Abwe, a bike rider in Tombel.
Eco OUTLOOK gathered that the completed works on the road was last week June 12, 2024 officially handed over by SOWEDA to the government.
According to SOWEDA lead engineer in charge of the project, Ndifor DANIEL, “The project was quite challenging but thanks to the SOWEDA equipment pool we were able to stand to the challenge,” Ndifor said.
It is the firm belief of SOWEDA that the rehabilitated road is an essential milestone in revamping the development of the South West Region in general and KupeMuanenguba division in particular.
“ This road will bring about a consequential impact, particularly on agriculture, businesses, healthcare, education, commerce and general wellbeing of the riverine population. Farmers and traders will be capable of transporting their goods to markets using vehicles, reducing their financial burdens and increase productivity,” SOWEDA general manager Dr Bisong Orgork Ntui said at the launch of the project.
In its role as the development front liner of the region, SOWEDA’s efforts to rehabilitate the Kumba-Tombel-Loum has now brought joy to the population in the area. The projects was realized thanks to a convention signed between the South West Development Authority and the Ministry of Public Works (MINTP).
The first part of works began from the Loum end of the road up to the Mungo bridge. The relay was picked up from the Kumba end. It involved the complete grading, recharging and compaction of the full 33km and the construction of culverts and rain gates.
The riverine population along the stretch of the road, Etam 1, Etam 2, Peng,Mile 19, Mile20, Ebonji, Tombel have all expressed their joy over the completion of the road rehabilitation project.
According to chief Alobwede Kome Christopher of Etam 1, elite from the region can now access their villages with their cars.
“ We now expect to see more tourists and investors in KupeMuanenguba than before because the roads are now passable,” Chief Alobwede said.
The Rich Resource and Touristic Potential of Kupe Muanenguba
Kupe Manenguba Division (KMD) got its name from Mount Kupe and Mount Manenguba that are found in the area. Created in 1993 with three sub-divisions: Bangem, Nguti and Tombel Sub Divisions, it is bordered to the north by Manyu Division, to the north-east by Lebialem, West by part of Ndian and Meme Divisions and to the south by the Littoral Region. With a total surface area of 3,950 square kilometers, the Division has 189 villages and total population of about 197,171 inhabitants. The area has a population density of 13 persons per square kilometer. Moreover, this area has two alternating seasons which are the dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season begins from March to November, spanning 9 months. Its humidity ranges from 75% to 80% with an average temperature ranging between 210C and 240C.
Although there are multiple ecotouristic attractions and sites in Cameroon that have long fascinated international and domestic travel segments (such as the white and black sandy beaches of Kribi and Limbe respectively and the national parks like Waza, Korup and the Mount Cameroon National Parks), KMD also offers another unique destination in Cameroon for ecotourism/nature lovers. By virtue of its location along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, CVL, the Division plays host to unique nature-based attractions ranging from attractive scenery, lakes, forest reserves, hot springs and water falls amongst others that can motivate the travel market.
The Division has a captivating, picturesque mountainous landscape characterized by mountains/hills, lowlands, valleys and plains. The Manenguba (2,396m) and Kupe (2,050m) Mountains are notable in the area as well as hills such as Edib Hill (600m) that can support mountaineering, other forms of adventure and the possibilities of admiring the rich biodiversity that thrives on the mountains. The Mount Kupe Forest Reserve is for instance unique from other forests in Cameroon because it lies at the transition zone between the equatorial rainforest to sub-montane and montane forests, shrubs and grassland of the Grassfields. It is also reputed as one of the best developed sub-montane forests in West Africa with rich endemic species.
Other forest reserves in the area include: the Ekanjo, Bajoh and Bangem Forest Reserves. The forests in KMD habours primate species: chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, chameleon and big preys. The forests also have rich bird species as evident with the over 329 rare bird species in the Mount Kupe Forest Reserve Though the coming of the Herackles Farms in parts of the Division has threatened the abundance of forest resources in KMD, it has also added agro-tourism potentials by the establishment of oil palm plantations.
There are also lakes such as the Kupe Manenguba Twin Crater Lakes, waterfalls and hot springs that one can also find in parts of the East African Rift Valley. This Manenguba twin lakes are sited at the summit of the Manengubua Mountain caldera, which came as a result of volcanic activity of some 56 to 156 million years ago. The lakes appear to be blue (male) and green (female) in color with lots of cultural heritage amongst the local Bakossi people. The blue/male lake has the shape of an African map and it is bigger than the green/female lake. The male laks supports recreation activities like swimming and fishing. Contrarily to the female lake, the male lake has an out flow and is drained by the River Mungo which in turn supports fishing and sand mining. The green lake is landlocked and no one dares to go into it except for the traditional priest who goes there occasionally to make appeasement and sacrifices for the land of the Bakossi people. Surrounded by the lake is a lush of vegetation which is a savannah type. Nothing falls into the lake and if anything is thrown inside the item simply comes back outside. Besides the twin lakes, KMD also hosts seasonal like the Lake Bermin which is also found in this volcanic area. The Ndepsi Hot Spring and the Kuku Water Fall in Mekom are also captivating features in the area.
The natural vegetation of the area has also seen the indigenous community, Bororos settling in the area for cattle grazing, thereby offering possibilities for travelers to engage in ethnic/traditions tourism. The Bororo settlers graze their cattle on the landscape while the area is blessed with medicinal plants which are used in treating diseases (herbal medicine). The KMD also hosts the all Bakossi Conference (ABC) and the Nguti Cultural and Development Association (NGUSCUDA) which have gradually become shadows of themselves in modern times.
Lamentably, the level of tourist arrivals and accompanying infrastructural developments in this Division evokes the concept of the paradox of plenty because the rich ecotourism attractions have been underexploited to support ecotourism development and its accompanying community-development impact. Ecotourism can therefore be encouraged in this area by the efforts of public and private sector if the area is to take full advantage of the growing ‘green market’. Road, hotel and telecommunication infrastructures and representation in the online market place amongst others all lie within the continuum of elements needed to foster ecotourism development in KMD.
By SONE George in Tombel
The first phase of rehabilitation works of the 33km Kumba-Tombel-Loum road has been completed. According to SOWEDA authorities the completed project will now permit and boost economic activities along this important route in the region, connecting the city of Kumba in the Meme division, to the Tombel Sub-Division in the Kupe Muanengube Division and Loum in the Littoral. The stretch is a connection of two national roads; No.5 from Tombel and No. 8 from Kumba.
The rehabilitation of the Kumba-Tombel-Loum road is already bringing about significant change in business activities in the region as some drivers and bike riders plying the road now attest.
“ We are now having a smooth ride from Tombel to Kumba and Loum without any obstacles. This is good business for us,” says Okah Abwe, a bike rider in Tombel.
Eco OUTLOOK gathered that the completed works on the road was last week June 12, 2024 officially handed over by SOWEDA to the government.
According to SOWEDA lead engineer in charge of the project, Ndifor DANIEL, “The project was quite challenging but thanks to the SOWEDA equipment pool we were able to stand to the challenge,” Ndifor said.
It is the firm belief of SOWEDA that the rehabilitated road is an essential milestone in revamping the development of the South West Region in general and KupeMuanenguba division in particular.
“ This road will bring about a consequential impact, particularly on agriculture, businesses, healthcare, education, commerce and general wellbeing of the riverine population. Farmers and traders will be capable of transporting their goods to markets using vehicles, reducing their financial burdens and increase productivity,” SOWEDA general manager Dr Bisong Orgork Ntui said at the launch of the project.
In its role as the development front liner of the region, SOWEDA’s efforts to rehabilitate the Kumba-Tombel-Loum has now brought joy to the population in the area. The projects was realized thanks to a convention signed between the South West Development Authority and the Ministry of Public Works (MINTP).
The first part of works began from the Loum end of the road up to the Mungo bridge. The relay was picked up from the Kumba end. It involved the complete grading, recharging and compaction of the full 33km and the construction of culverts and rain gates.
The riverine population along the stretch of the road, Etam 1, Etam 2, Peng,Mile 19, Mile20, Ebonji, Tombel have all expressed their joy over the completion of the road rehabilitation project.
According to chief Alobwede Kome Christopher of Etam 1, elite from the region can now access their villages with their cars.
“ We now expect to see more tourists and investors in KupeMuanenguba than before because the roads are now passable,” Chief Alobwede said.
The Rich Resource and Touristic Potential of Kupe Muanenguba
Kupe Manenguba Division (KMD) got its name from Mount Kupe and Mount Manenguba that are found in the area. Created in 1993 with three sub-divisions: Bangem, Nguti and Tombel Sub Divisions, it is bordered to the north by Manyu Division, to the north-east by Lebialem, West by part of Ndian and Meme Divisions and to the south by the Littoral Region. With a total surface area of 3,950 square kilometers, the Division has 189 villages and total population of about 197,171 inhabitants. The area has a population density of 13 persons per square kilometer. Moreover, this area has two alternating seasons which are the dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season begins from March to November, spanning 9 months. Its humidity ranges from 75% to 80% with an average temperature ranging between 210C and 240C.
Although there are multiple ecotouristic attractions and sites in Cameroon that have long fascinated international and domestic travel segments (such as the white and black sandy beaches of Kribi and Limbe respectively and the national parks like Waza, Korup and the Mount Cameroon National Parks), KMD also offers another unique destination in Cameroon for ecotourism/nature lovers. By virtue of its location along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, CVL, the Division plays host to unique nature-based attractions ranging from attractive scenery, lakes, forest reserves, hot springs and water falls amongst others that can motivate the travel market.
The Division has a captivating, picturesque mountainous landscape characterized by mountains/hills, lowlands, valleys and plains. The Manenguba (2,396m) and Kupe (2,050m) Mountains are notable in the area as well as hills such as Edib Hill (600m) that can support mountaineering, other forms of adventure and the possibilities of admiring the rich biodiversity that thrives on the mountains. The Mount Kupe Forest Reserve is for instance unique from other forests in Cameroon because it lies at the transition zone between the equatorial rainforest to sub-montane and montane forests, shrubs and grassland of the Grassfields. It is also reputed as one of the best developed sub-montane forests in West Africa with rich endemic species.
Other forest reserves in the area include: the Ekanjo, Bajoh and Bangem Forest Reserves. The forests in KMD habours primate species: chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, chameleon and big preys. The forests also have rich bird species as evident with the over 329 rare bird species in the Mount Kupe Forest Reserve Though the coming of the Herackles Farms in parts of the Division has threatened the abundance of forest resources in KMD, it has also added agro-tourism potentials by the establishment of oil palm plantations.
There are also lakes such as the Kupe Manenguba Twin Crater Lakes, waterfalls and hot springs that one can also find in parts of the East African Rift Valley. This Manenguba twin lakes are sited at the summit of the Manengubua Mountain caldera, which came as a result of volcanic activity of some 56 to 156 million years ago. The lakes appear to be blue (male) and green (female) in color with lots of cultural heritage amongst the local Bakossi people. The blue/male lake has the shape of an African map and it is bigger than the green/female lake. The male laks supports recreation activities like swimming and fishing. Contrarily to the female lake, the male lake has an out flow and is drained by the River Mungo which in turn supports fishing and sand mining. The green lake is landlocked and no one dares to go into it except for the traditional priest who goes there occasionally to make appeasement and sacrifices for the land of the Bakossi people. Surrounded by the lake is a lush of vegetation which is a savannah type. Nothing falls into the lake and if anything is thrown inside the item simply comes back outside. Besides the twin lakes, KMD also hosts seasonal like the Lake Bermin which is also found in this volcanic area. The Ndepsi Hot Spring and the Kuku Water Fall in Mekom are also captivating features in the area.
The natural vegetation of the area has also seen the indigenous community, Bororos settling in the area for cattle grazing, thereby offering possibilities for travelers to engage in ethnic/traditions tourism. The Bororo settlers graze their cattle on the landscape while the area is blessed with medicinal plants which are used in treating diseases (herbal medicine). The KMD also hosts the all Bakossi Conference (ABC) and the Nguti Cultural and Development Association (NGUSCUDA) which have gradually become shadows of themselves in modern times.
Lamentably, the level of tourist arrivals and accompanying infrastructural developments in this Division evokes the concept of the paradox of plenty because the rich ecotourism attractions have been underexploited to support ecotourism development and its accompanying community-development impact. Ecotourism can therefore be encouraged in this area by the efforts of public and private sector if the area is to take full advantage of the growing ‘green market’. Road, hotel and telecommunication infrastructures and representation in the online market place amongst others all lie within the continuum of elements needed to foster ecotourism development in KMD.
