The Mayor of Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, has officially welcomed international partners from Germany as preparations get underway for the optimization of the Bamenda III Council Water Project, a major initiative aimed at improving water circulation and access across the municipality.
The reception, held at the Mayor’s residence in Mile 3 Nkwen, brought together council authorities, quarterheads, community representatives, and members of the German-based NGO Drinking Water for Cameroon (German: Trinkwasser für Kamerun). The project is scheduled to commence effectively on Friday, January 9, 2026, and will run for three weeks.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe described the intervention as both timely and transformative, stressing that the investment and technical work involved are substantial.
“The investment this time is huge. The work is big, but together with our water team, I am confident that at the end of the three-week stay, the work is going to be done,” the mayor said.
A Decade-Long Lifeline Set for Expansion
The mayor recalled that the Bamenda III Council water scheme has been operational for more than a decade, serving residents within the municipality and even populations beyond its borders through public taps.
“Some people from other municipalities can collect water from our public taps. This project has boosted water supply for more than 10 years already, and now we are here to strengthen it further,” he noted.
Mayor Fongu emphasized the human-centred nature of the project, underlining its importance in improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases, and enhancing the quality of life.
“They are here for humanity. Somebody somewhere should drink clean and portable water. An old mother somewhere should drink water. If we want a better world, we must design projects that are humanistic and improve lives,” he said.
According to the mayor, the main focus of the new phase is to address water circulation challenges affecting certain neighbourhoods, ensuring that all residents already connected to the system enjoy a water supply 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He also announced plans to increase the number of public taps across strategic locations in the municipality.
In addition to development issues, Mayor Tanwe used the occasion to call on residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
“I want to call on the population of Bamenda III to put their names on the electoral register. It is a civic duty, and it helps ensure that these utilities meant for them continue,” he said.
German NGO Reaffirms Longstanding Commitment
Also speaking at the event was Karl Heinz Heinisch, Second Chairman of Trinkwasser für Kamerun, who highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between the NGO, the Bamenda III Council, and the people of Nkwen.
“What keeps me coming is the very close collaboration between the council and the people of Nkwen. This place has become a second home for me,” Heinisch said.
He revealed that the water network has expanded steadily since 2012, with consumption increasing significantly over the years, necessitating technical upgrades.
“We are here to draw a very detailed pipelining map of the whole town from the treatment plant to the last taps and house connections. We want to optimize the network, reduce pressure loss by building ring connections, and bring booster pumps to supply far areas,” he explained.
Heinisch added that reservoirs constructed last year will now be fully integrated into the main network to ensure a more stable and continuous water supply.
The German delegation includes three new partners visiting Bamenda III for the first time, a gesture Heinisch described as a strong sign of growing international solidarity.
“The reception today, the cultural dances, and the warmth from the mayor were very touching. We feel like family here,” he said.
Community Voices Hope and Gratitude
Representing the local community, Wara Julius, Quarter Head of Ntah-Bengkei and a member of the Nkwen Cultural and Development Association (Germany Branch), described the project as a turning point for the municipality.
“As the saying goes, ‘Water is Life.’ This gesture will go a long way in solving the socioeconomic problems we face,” he said, noting that many residents still rely on boreholes and wells.
Drawing from his 23 years of experience in Germany, Wara expressed confidence in the technical capacity of the German partners.
“I believe that after these three weeks, there will be no water crisis in Bamenda III again,” he stated optimistically.
He recalled the hardships families endured in the past. “We used to wake children as early as five in the morning to fetch water from streams. I believe that by the end of this month, we will have good and potable drinking water,” he added.
Toward Sustainable Water Access
The reception marked not just a ceremonial welcome, but the formal launch of a critical development phase for Bamenda III. With strong collaboration between the council, international partners, and the local population, expectations are high that the project will deliver lasting solutions to water shortages and significantly improve living conditions across the municipality.
As Mayor Tanwe concluded, the focus now shifts from celebration to action: “Tomorrow, we go to work to make sure that this task is totally accomplished. Once more, you are welcome to Cameroon, the North West Region, and Bamenda III Municipality.”
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