By Neba Jerome Ambe
The Bafut Council has donated a wide range of road maintenance and environmental protection equipment to the Agyati Development and Cultural Association (ADECULA) in a move aimed at strengthening community-led infrastructure maintenance and safeguarding vital water catchment areas.
The donation, handed over on Saturday, May 30, 2026, by the Mayor of Bafut Council, Ngwakongoh Lawrence, included wheelbarrows, spades, dig axes, a water pump, water tanks, rain boots, buckets, gloves, tracksuits, and water-friendly tree species. The initiative was made possible through support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other development partners.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mayor Ngwakongoh said the donation followed an assessment of development priorities across the municipality.
“Agyati is one of the largest communities in terms of surface area and has an extensive road network linking several villages. We observed that the population regularly engages in community labour to maintain these roads. It was therefore important for the council to support these efforts with the necessary equipment to facilitate local road maintenance,” he said.
The mayor noted that while the council continues to deploy heavy machinery for major road rehabilitation works, the donated tools would enable residents to carry out routine maintenance activities more effectively.
“We are in the 21st century and cannot continue relying solely on manual labour. These tools will assist the community in maintaining roads after grading works have been completed. They can be used to clear drainage channels and culverts, as well as repair minor potholes to keep the roads motorable throughout the year,” he added.
On the environmental component of the project, Mayor Ngwakongoh emphasized the importance of protecting water sources through tree planting and sustainable conservation practices.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the community, Christopher Neba, representative of the Agyati Development and Cultural Association, expressed gratitude to the council for responding to the community’s needs.
“We sincerely thank the Mayor of Bafut Council for this support. The donated trees will play an important role in protecting our water catchment areas, while the road maintenance tools will help us address the deteriorating condition of several roads within the community,” he said.
While applauding the initiative, Neba also appealed for further development interventions.
“Among our most pressing needs today are a modern slaughter slab, a sales slab, and the construction of key bridges that will facilitate movement and economic activities within the community. We hope the council will consider these projects in its future development plans,” he stated.
Community members welcomed the donation, describing it as a timely intervention that will strengthen local efforts to improve road infrastructure and protect the environment.
The residents further appealed to the council to construct strategic bridges within the area to enhance accessibility and boost socio-economic activities.
The donation to Agyati comes shortly after a similar exercise in Njimuyah and forms part of Bafut Council’s broader strategy to promote community-driven development, improve local infrastructure, and support environmental sustainability across the municipality.
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