In a bid to transform the town into a cleaner and more sustainable environment, the Clean Cities Contest has been making waves in Bangem. The initiative, which aims to promote environmental awareness and community engagement, has already shown promising results, with residents and local authorities working together to beautify the town and improve its infrastructure.
Since the Clean Cities Contest was launched in Kupe Muanenguba, K/M on March 20, 2025 by the Divisional Delegate of Housing and Urban Development, MINHDU, K/M, Orock Takang Ewube, residents have been engaged in gathering plastic bottles and wastes.
In collaboration with the Bangem Council, wastes are deposited at the dumpsite located at Ebosco Hill, Bangem, while plastic bottles are transported to the Recycling Center, closer to the dumpsite.
Speaking to The Ultimate, Ewube disclosed that his strategy is to get Bangem Council win the South West Regional prize of the Clean Cities Contest and to represent the region at the national contest in Bamenda on the occasion of World Habitat Day in October 2025.
He said their focus is not the prize but for environmental transformation through cleanliness for a lasting impact on the community.
The delegate said the regional trophy must stay in Kupe Muanenguba after Tombel in 2024
The Sensitization
Prior to the start of clean up exercise, Ewube and his team carried out sensitization exercises in primary, secondary and vocational institutions in Bangem. Besides, local media institutions were used to sensitize and educated the public on the importance of inhabiting a clean environment.
Meanwhile, the Senior Divisional Officer of Kupe Muanenguba, Mungambo Ekema William in a communique singed on April 2, 2025 with the subject “Cleanest City Contest in Kupe Muanenguba” with term of reference “My City My Home, I Keep it Clean,” called on all administrative officials to keep their environment clean.
He said a team supervised by his office and MINHDU’s office Kupe Muanenguba, will supervise the exercise in order to maintain and foster cleanliness around vicinities.
Supervision
On April 10, the First Assistant SDO, K/M, Djaoné Mouigoum, the delegate and other stakeholders went round Bangem to supervise the on going cleaning of vicinities by the population.
At the Bangem District Hospital, the team was received by Dr. Etube on behalf of the Director, Dr. Esambe Emmanuel. Ewube sensitized them on the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation at the hospital.
He talked on the importance of the incinerator at the hospital and how to manage waste at the hospital which is very sensitive.
Ewube sensitized on the need of refurbishing areas in the hospital like the toilets, wards, beds amongst others.
He announced that the team will be at the hospital after ten days for the final report about the clean nature of the hospital.
Painting and Tree Planting
From the hospital, the team moved to Street One Roundabout and Confidence Street, identified possible areas of refurbishing.
The delegate said they will place tires at strategic positions, paint the tires, and plant trees in the middle. He said they will paint all trees along the streets of Bangem to increase the beauty of the town.
Ewube disclosed that Bangem Council has already produced sign posts in all the streets for proper location and identification.
He added that the council has also made trash bins to be placed at strategic places for the population to easily throw wastes.
According to the delegate, they will disinfect the market, the hospital, all schools, private pit toilets in the cleaning process.
He said in the course of their supervision, they identified some houses that needed to be painted.
He said like in Tombel last year, every town has to follow the criteria of the contest which has an environmental impact on cleaning and beautifying the town.
Ewube pleaded for total collaboration of the population for the success of the contest in Bangem.
It should be noted that the Clean Cities Contest, managed by Bangem Council through the Divisional Delegation of Urban Development and Housing, Kupe Muanenguba, is in three phases, divisional, regional and national.
By Ahone Jessy
