Hon. Tabot Lawson Bakia Steps Up Development and Humanitarian Interventions Across Kumba

Cameroon — Hon. Tabot Lawson Bakia, Member of Parliament for Kumba Urban, has continued to intervene in several development and humanitarian initiatives targeting residents of Kumba, with particular attention to basic social amenities, education, healthcare and support for vulnerable populations.

His interventions include the provision of drinking water through boreholes, the rehabilitation of roads in various neighbourhoods, the renovation of classrooms, the supply of school furniture and learning materials, and assistance to internally displaced persons affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions.

Improving access to potable water

Access to clean drinking water remains a major concern in several neighbourhoods across Kumba. In response to this challenge, Hon. Bakia has intervened through the provision of boreholes and additional water points to reduce the difficulties residents face in obtaining potable water.

In Fiango, Kumba II Subdivision, thr population has welcomed the provision of a borehole at Fiango Market, which has improved access to drinking water for people in the area, he has also provided two bore5in Teke Kumba 3 Sub-Division, Mbonge road in Kumba 1 Sub-Division and construction of other boreholes are ongoing in other communities.

The intervention is particularly important for households that previously depended on limited water points or had to walk considerable distances in search of water.

The provision of additional pumps and taps has also helped address pressure on existing facilities, offering residents more opportunities to access water for their daily needs.

Beyond Fiango, the lawmaker has expressed his commitment to expanding access to potable water in other parts of Kumba. He has promised to provide six additional boreholes before the end of 2026 in Kumba I, Kumba II and Kumba III subdivisions.

Plans have also been announced to repair existing water facilities in areas including Teke and Cassava Farm in Kumba I, alongside other communities.

Road rehabilitation to improve movement

Road infrastructure is another area in which the Member of Parliament has intervened.

Several neighbourhoods in Kumba face difficulties associated with deteriorating roads, particularly during the rainy season, when mud, stagnant water and potholes make movement difficult for pedestrians, motorists and commercial transport operators.

Hon. Bakia has supported road rehabilitation efforts in different quarters, using grading and other interventions to improve access and ease transportation.

One such intervention involved the rehabilitation of the road leading to Kumba's defunct railway station. The road, which had been affected by stagnant water, mud and overgrown vegetation, was graded to improve accessibility, The poor condition of the road had also posed difficulties for vehicles accessing the area, including military vehicles operating from a nearby base.

Ge also rehabilitated the road leading to CCAS Kumba, Pong Pong quarter, Charvic street, the road leading to Government Bilingual Teachers Training College Kumba, Krama Avenue, the road from the Gendarmerie to Anglican and others.

Such interventions are intended to improve mobility, facilitate commercial activities and make movement within affected neighbourhoods easier for residents.

However, sustained maintenance and broader road infrastructure investment remain important to ensure that the improvements are lasting.

Support for education and school infrastructure

Education is another sector benefiting from the lawmaker's interventions.

Hon. Bakia has supported the rehabilitation of classrooms and the provision of school furniture, including benches, to improve learning conditions for pupils and students.

One of the interventions involved rehabilitation works at the Government School Complex in Fiango/Ekemueh, where eight classrooms received roofing, ceilings and doors ahead of the 2026/2027 academic year.

The rehabilitation is expected to contribute to a more conducive learning environment for pupils and teachers.

The provision of benches and other school materials also addresses some of the challenges faced by educational institutions struggling with inadequate infrastructure and furniture.

Beyond classroom rehabilitation, the lawmaker has participated in efforts to support children through the distribution of school items, helping families meet some of the financial demands associated with the start of the academic year.

These initiatives are particularly important for vulnerable households, including families whose livelihoods have been affected by the ongoing conflict in the English-speaking regions.

Healthcare support and medical equipment

Healthcare is another area covered by the lawmaker's interventions.

Hon. Bakia has provided medical equipment to some hospitals as part of efforts to support healthcare delivery and improve the conditions under which medical personnel attend to patients.

The availability of appropriate equipment is essential for healthcare facilities to provide effective services, particularly in communities where access to well-equipped medical institutions remains a challenge.

While the provision of equipment can help address immediate needs, sustained investment in medical infrastructure, staffing, medicines and maintenance remains necessary to strengthen healthcare services across Kumba.

Humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons

The ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon's North-West and South-West regions has forced many people to leave their homes and seek refuge in safer communities, including Kumba.

Many internally displaced persons face difficulties securing food, paying school fees, obtaining basic household necessities and meeting other essential needs.

In response to these challenges, Hon. Tabot Lawson Bakia has intervened through the distribution of food items, school supplies and other forms of assistance to people affected by the crisis.

The provision of food items offers temporary relief to families struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs, while educational materials help displaced children continue their studies despite the disruption caused by conflict.

The distribution of building materials and other forms of support to affected persons has also formed part of the interventions attributed to the lawmaker.

Such assistance is significant in a community hosting people whose displacement has disrupted their livelihoods and separated them from their homes, property and sources of income.

Humanitarian interventions of this nature help address immediate needs, although long-term support remains necessary to enable displaced families to rebuild their lives and regain economic independence.

Addressing community needs through multiple interventions

Taken together, the interventions span several areas of public concern, including water supply, roads, education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance.

For residents, the impact of such initiatives is often measured by practical changes in their daily lives: easier access to drinking water, improved roads, better-equipped classrooms, support for healthcare facilities and relief for families facing hardship.

The interventions also highlight the importance of cooperation between elected representatives, local communities, public institutions and development partners in addressing challenges that affect residents.

At the same time, the scale of Kumba's infrastructure and social needs means that continued action from government services, councils and other stakeholders remains essential.

The durability of boreholes, roads, school facilities and medical equipment will depend not only on their initial provision but also on proper maintenance, monitoring and continued investment.

A continuing development agenda

As Kumba continues to grapple with infrastructure gaps and the social consequences of the Anglophone crisis, interventions targeting essential services and vulnerable communities remain an important part of the local development agenda.

For Hon. Tabot Lawson Bakia, the range of initiatives attributed to his office reflects an approach that combines infrastructure development with social and humanitarian assistance.

From efforts to improve access to potable water and rehabilitate roads to supporting schools, hospitals and internally displaced persons, the interventions address needs that directly affect the daily lives of many residents.

The announced plans for additional boreholes and repairs to existing water facilities will be among the next initiatives to watch as communities look for further improvements in access to basic services.

Ultimately, the broader impact of these efforts will be determined by their reach, continuity and sustainability, as well as the extent to which they contribute to lasting improvements in the living conditions of the population.

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