BONAVADA INDEGENES RAISE MONEY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR

COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT

By Moki S. Mokondo in Buea for Fako Mount Fako News Centre

25th April 2011

The sum of one million two hundred and fifty-three thousand two hundred and fifty (1,253,250) FCFA is the cash at hand that the Bokova, Bova, Bonakanda Area Development Association (BONAVADA) has so far realised as money meant for maintenance and improvement of their community water project. This amount was raised on Saturday 23 April, 2011, thanks to the contributions of elites and members of this community during a fund-raising ceremony. In addition to this amount, another one million five thousand (1,005,000) FCFA was noted as pledges to help meet-up with the cost of the project.

Heads of each member village have also been assigned to target each household a thousand FCFA so that together, the expected sum of four million (4,000,000) FCFA can be realised. This money is to be used for the acquisition of two water pumps so that water can be re-instated in the BONAVADA Community. Water has been absent in this community for the last seven months since the two existing pumps had a total break-down.

Initially, the BONAVADA Water Project was constructed to supply Bonakanda, Bokova, Bova I & II. Today, BONAVADA membership has increased to thirteen villages and thus, the available water capacity is insufficient to meet the needs of the existing population. Also, considering the topography of the Mount Cameroon region where must of the BONAVADA villages are located, the waterbed is too low and portable water supply here is only possible through a pumping system.

The water source here is located at the mouth of the Koke (Koh-keh) stream, down at Bwiteva village. Hence, the engines always get damaged since they are overworked when pumping water uphill to all member villages. Instead of the initial water tank that is located in Wova I, another tank was constructed at Ewonda village and recently another one in Wonakanda on 22nd February 2011.

The chief launchers of the fund-raising, Dr. Amos Namanga Ngongi and the Director of IRAD, Prof. Mbua Ngeve, both donated five hundred thousand (500,000) FCFA each. Barrister Ikome Ngongi pledged a million (1000,000) FCFA.