The Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone, in a bid to clear off petit traders from the road side in Douala created kiosks in collaboration with certain companies. These kiosks were offered free of charge to some petit traders in town. This is a project which the CUD intends to carry out gradually in all the different neighbourhoods in Douala. As of now, some of these kiosks have been established in Bonanjo and in some areas in Bonapriso.

Lately, it has been observed that some of these existing kiosks have been vacant since the period they were handed to the traders. An example is the kiosk situated at Carrefour armée de l’air, which happens to be the biggest kiosk. There are others in Bonanjo which are also vacant at times. Some days they are occupied but other days they are empty. These kiosks are mostly owned by those doing businesses in call boxes. But there are other businesses which need space.

Speaking to an official of the Douala City Council, who wants anonymity, it was said that there is no kiosk which is supposed to be empty, because every kiosk has the name of a trader assigned to it. “If these kiosks are empty it will only mean that the trader has some difficulties”. The official said they are aware of the fact that there is a craving for space by traders especially as they have been driven from the roadside. The council, the official said, is seeking to get more space to construct more kiosks to give to traders. The official said the council is trying to organise the town such that there is an area for call boxes, an area for food, among others. “All we need now is space”, the official said. These Kiosks she said are not paid for now. But time will come when the traders will have to pay a minimum amount as tax for the kiosk.

The CUD workers have been trying to clear off Carrefour ARNO to create space to place some kiosks in that area. More space too is sought in Akwa to create more space. The traders, the official said, just need to be patient. “They should not seek to get back to the streets while waiting because that will not be permitted.

EFFA TAMBENKONGHO