Emmanuel Kendemeh
29 February 2008
Fuel scarcity further paralysed the movement of vehicles in the nation's capital.
Bands of youths joined by delinquents who last Wednesday poured into the streets of Yaoundé, destroyed and looted property, harassed people in their private cars and burnt tyres in some major streets, yesterday seemed to have heeded the warning of the Head of State. President Paul Biya in his declaration to the nation stated, "all legal means available to government will be brought into play to ensure the rule of law".
The atmosphere in Yaoundé yesterday, 28 February was calm, though with scepticism still observed in many people's attitudes. There were no violent street demonstrations and no harassment of people in their private cars. Commercial motorcycles were back in the streets, some carrying as many as three passengers besides the riders. Buses of the urban transport company, le Bus, scared off the streets at the heat of the crisis on 27 February, worked yesterday. The peaceful Yaoundé city dwellers could trek to their places of work, markets and went about their diverse activities unperturbed. The imprints of Wednesday's violent demonstrations were still seen in many places. Markets were yet to regain their hustle and bustle. Many drinking spots and provision stores at the Mvan, Nsam, Efoulan, Biyem-Assi and the Obili neighbourhoods were half opened.
People however wanted to see whether taxi drivers would resume work after the calls from their trade union leaders and the apparent assurance of their security through the forces of law and order deployed in many parts of the town. Curiously, there was no taxi on the streets. The few ones seen were not carrying passengers. As one moved from the Nkolbisson neighbourhood through the centre of the city to Mvan, taxis were seen parked at washing points and fuel filling stations. Clandestine transporters to the outskirts of Yaoundé resumed work timidly. This was the situation with the motor park situated besides the Brasseries du Cameroun factory, from where vehicles carry passengers to Akono, Bikok, Mbankomo, etc. Many vehicle owners would have liked to move round town in their vehicles but were confronted with fuel scarcity. The major preoccupation for some workers departed from their normal work to the search for fuel. This scarcity is understood because since the outset of the strike action last weekend, fuel tankers are unable to reach the nation's capital.
In the afternoon, traffic on the streets was gradually becoming intensive but still no taxis.
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