Farmers in Tombel, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region are rejoicing over government’s budget of FCFA 65 million for the opening of farm to market road at Ngab up-Ndumsi-Swene road.
The project is outlined in the Public Investment Budget of 2024, to be executed by Tombel Council and sponsored by the Ministry of Public Works, MINTP.
Speaking to The Ultimate, Mentang Francis, a farmer along the programmed road rejoiced that God has finally heard their prayers.
He said they have gone through pain and agony on the Ndumsi-Swene stretch of road to transport their produce. The farmer lamented that many people have died because of pains and suffering of carrying head luggage to the market. “Most farmers developed sicknesses that incapacitated them because we use only our heads to transport cocoa and plantain. Just imagine.” Mentang disclosed.
The farmer added though they contributed to start the road last year, their money was insignificant compared to the work that was supposed to be executed. He thanked the Ministry of Public Works for coming to wipe their tears.
Also, Epie Emmanuel Dipoko expressed joy with all stakeholders that intervened to ensure that the road is opened. He said the road will boost food and cash crop production to satisfy local and international market. “We have suffered for a very long time. I don’t know how to thank the government again. The coming of this road will significantly reduce cost of transportation and eventually a drop in the selling price.” Epie added.
Marion Senze, a cocoa and plantain farmer also involved in the transformation of cocoa and by products said the opening of the road is a new dawn of farming in Tombel. She said the road has been a major obstacle to expansion because of the difficulties in transporting produce.
According to Senze, with the opening of the road, farm markets shall be reinstated for buyers to get directly in touch with farmers. She said this is going to make their work easier, as well as boost their production capacity.
It should be noted that sometime in 2023, farmers along the Ndumsi-Swene road contributed the sum of FCFA 1 million, hired a bulldozer to open the estimated 7km road.
The road that had existed as a footpath was opened on the 29th and 30th of June 2023 by a bulldozer hired by the farmers. However, because of inadequate finance from their contributions, the road could not cover the estimated stretch.
The farmers had appealed to Tombel Council to help them in opening and grading the road.
The Mayor of Tombel Council, Ngassa Rose in a council session in 2023 promised that now that the council has acquired a front end loader, a bulldozer and a caterpillar, they shall focus on the opening of farm to market roads.
The Divisional Officer of Tombel Sub Division, Nyam Leonard Njowon had congratulated the farmers for the spirit of self-reliant, which facilitated the bulldozing of the road. He encouraged them to continue mutualizing their efforts to achieve greater projects.
By Ahone Jessy
