Authorities must ,as a matter of priority ,get the population to ensure that Douala is rid of pollution.
By Mofor Samuel in Kribi
It has been observed yearly that, bio- chemical agents in the environment cause the premature death of millions of people world wide and ill- health or disablement of hundreds of millions more. Development strategies in some sectors of communities can have or not have adverse consequences for health and the environment.
Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that concerns for health usually underlies discussions about the environment, health itself is not specifically considered and is seldom given a high priority in development plans. A dramatic change is affecting Cameroonians from the Sahel scrubland through the savanna extending to the forest heartland of the Great South; the mangrove swamps along the coastline are not left out.
Our environment is greatly threatened by climatic change, influenced by pollution, global warming, drying out streams and rivers, deteriorating air quality in urban settlements, deforestation, bush fires, poor waste disposal, floods, carbon emission from factories and mostly second- hand vehicles and drought in some areas. This makes the land to become a baked, powder –dry desert. It is difficult to imagine how multicellular life can survive in such condition. This is because on the environmental front pollution, deforestation, extinction and global warming threaten future life on our planet.
With prices rising and earth resources being taxed more and more, will future generations be able to afford health care, quality food and sufficient fuel? In order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, some countries are investing heavily in bio- fuel, such as ethanol, derived from vegetation. Thus, for the first time in history, the human stomach is competing with automotive gas tank for the produce of available land. The resulting inflation in food prices is already being felt in Cameroon as well. Equally the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, adding to social tensions.
Throw into this mix the spectre of global warming which may cause increased desertification [the Sahara desert is advancing with a great speed towards the south] and more extreme weather; many informed people are jittery about tomorrow. Even scientists too continue to observe the cascading effects of global warming on the planet’s complex ecosystems.
In an attempt to give health its rightful place at the centre of the discussion about the environment and development, WHO Director- General appointed an independent commission whose work and report focused particularly on food and agriculture, water, energy, industry, and urbanization. The report looked at the adverse effects on health and environment, in each case examining the negative outcomes of various sectorial policies and recommending approaches and action aimed at mitigating or preventing them. The discussion is underpinned by concern for the principles of a more equitable access to resources both within and without countries, and participation of the public in formulating, implementing and evaluating plans and projects.
Application of these principles is considered essential for the attainment of three global objectives set by the commission- achievement of a sustainable basis for health for all, attainment of an environment that promotes health and awareness by all individuals and organizations of their responsibility for health and its environmental basis.
As one enters Douala-Cameroon, from either the Bekoko or Ndogpassi end of the city, one is greeted by offensive odor and stuffed hot air emanating from the swampy area below the weighing station in Bekoko (Yapaki); and the grayish black water of the small river in Ndogpassi. If the colour and stench from the swamps in Yapaki reminds one of the mismanagement of industrial waste in the Bonaberi Industrial Zone, that of Ndogpassi brings to mind how industrial waste is being handled and treated in the Bassa Industrial Zone.
In fact, whether on the atmosphere, land or water and water sources, it is very difficult or impossible to imagine that there is a single source of water on this basin that can be declared completely free from pollution or pollutants. Going by the importance of wetlands to man, there is every reason to try to measure the degree of pollution of this basin considering the number of rivers, small streams and the vegetation. Giving that animal and plant life , agriculture, energy supply, fish, cool temperature and fresh air are some of the benefits that man derives from wetlands, condemning the pollution of these wetlands, by whosever need not be over emphasized.
When one looks at this basin, food and agriculture, water courses, energy supply, industries and urbanization are the main characteristics of the basin. But then, is there a healthy collaboration among them? Is one not struggling to eliminate or has completely eliminated if not made it impossible for the others to thrive or survive? Can it be said that the powers that be are consciously or unconsciously encouraging the state of affairs by not checking the excesses of the industries in particular as far as the pollution of this basin is concerned? The end result: diseases, social and economic chaos.
Whatever measures are taken by municipal authorities such as flower- planting around major roundabouts and drive ways, without fighting to put an end to this high degree of pollution by mostly industrial installations in the basin, large-scale pollution in the city will still be noticed from the stuffed air. Douala city dwellers equally need fresh air. The municipal authorities must as a matter of priority get the population to actively participate to ensure that Douala is rid of pollution. There should be no discrimination between the rich and the poor in the quest for the fresh air needed in the city. Individuals, families, communities, industries, administrative authorities must now understand they got themselves into this mess and they have got to get themselves out.
Only then can one begin to think that the damage done to this basin can be checked. On the whole, solutions to pollution on the Douala- Edea Basin will not require measures for which, almost certainly, no support will be found by counting votes or measuring consumer preferences.
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