Abstract

Bamenda-Enugu highway road or trade corridor is a 443 km road, comprising of Cameroon and Nigeria [Bamenda, Mamfe, Ekok]. This study examines the development and significance of Bamenda – Enugu highway road from 2006-2017 in Cameroon in different sectors of life, and how it has influenced development in particular. Different method were used for the study of this work. Interview and reading from different sources made this work a reality. Lastly, this study examines achievements and problems encountered along the Bamenda – Enugu highway.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background To The Study

Road creation comes with development in the economics, social and political domain in every country. This confirms the assertion that “where a road passes, development follows’’

Trade border is an old practice that started in 1885. The resolution of the Berlin West African conference was that Africa should be divided among the different European powers. The partition of Africa marks the start for border boundaries, Cameroon was administered by Germany till 1922. Later, Cameroon was, administered by France and Britain. Britain administered her apart together with Nigeria. The differences in colonial polices among other reasons led to border boundaries. During the colonial era trade existed between the colonial masters and the native. The natives exchanged ivory, horses, pelt, gold and foodstuffs for European product such as swords, horses, gun and gun powder,

Borders are boundaries setup since 1885. Borders separate one country from another. Anazaldua aptly puts that “Borders are setup to define the places that are safe and unsafe, to distinguish us from them’’ A border is a dividing line, a narrow strip along a setup edge. A borderland is vague, and undermined place created by the emotional residue of unnatural boundaries. It is in constant state of transition .

The history of roads transport started with the development of tracks by humans and their beast of burden. Later, horse were introduced for the transportation of cargo. After, wheels were invested about 5000BC. Wheel transport created the need for better roads. Generally, natural material cannot be soft enough to form well-graded surfaces and strong enough to bear wheel vehicles especially when wet and stay intact. In (Mesopotamia). In later years, further development on roads has exposed the world to numerous benefits.

In order for humans to carry out their daily activities easily and effectively, man derived many forms of roads which helped in the transport of goods and people. In order to ease movement humans have discovered the air means of movement such as railways, sea or movement through water bodies such as the Atlantic Ocean and road or land transport. Improvement in all the means of roads has exposed humans to allot of advantages as it links one country to another and from one state to another state. Examples of roads linking countries together are Senegal-Nigeria highway road, Egypt-South Africa highway road, Egypt-Senegal, Chad-Cameroon highway road.

The Bamenda – Enugu road construction project has decreased vulnerability and opened a world of other opportunities for the people of Ekok . They are generally happy with the state of the road now than any other time in their history. The travelling cost from Ekok to other areas in Cameroon has greatly reduced, cost of transportation. This has made it easy for traders to travel at any time to replenish their stock. Their standard of living has increased as people are able to buy cherished goods from Cameroon, rather than depending on the Nigeria market, as it was before the road.

In Cameroon, there are several roads linking different parts of the country. The Mutengene-Buea road, Kumba-Mamfe road and Douala-Yaounde roads help to improve the living standard of Cameroon citizens.

Literature Review

There exists abundant literature that has helped in the realisation of this study. Some researchers have committed themselves to the study of the Bamenda-Enugu highway road such as Dr. James Tabi. In short, much has been written about the Bamenda-Enugu road and its positive impact on Africa and Cameroon and Nigeria in particular.

Literally what has greatly helped in this study is the publication of Agbor Enoh Richard (PHD) on historical writing published in 2013. This book has served as a guide during the process of data collection analysis and usage. The work of Dr Chu Eric K . Provided information which help to amend and that this work becomes a reality.

Statement of the Problem

The Bamenda-Enugu highway road started in June 2010. The road was constructed based on the promise of Cameroon-Nigeria to promoted development between both countries. Construction on the road was carried out by China, Communication Construction Company. [C.C.C.C]

This study, the Bamenda-Enugu highway road from 2010 – 2017, set to address the following research questions. How was the nature of the Bamenda-Enugu road before 2010, and How has the road been significant to the people since 2010?

In this analysis, we try to outline some challenges faced along the Bamenda-Enugu road.

Methodology

In order to attain the main objective of this study, oral or primary sources have been consulted. With regards to oral sources, respect was paid to identify informants for interview. The interview was not conducted with questions. Our informants comprised of former and current users of the Bamenda-Enugu road.

Like some drivers, of the road, traders who used the road and business owners who sell along the road. The Informants were men and women who lived in villages and towns along the Bamenda-Enugu highway road, Farmers as well as bike riders. As a writing method, the thematic and chronological approaches have been used

Objectives of the Study

Main Objective

The main objectives of this study are to unveil the complete picture of the Bamenda-Enugu highway road.

Specific Objectives

1. To examine the setback and attempts at resolving the challenges of Cameroon Nigeria trans-border trade.
2. To examine the contribution of trade to the socio-economic and political changes in Bamenda –Ekok road
3. This research intends to examine the difficulties faced on the road before 2010 and how its development has influenced the inhabitants
4. It also examines the trade importance of Cameroon- Nigeria and finally, the research critically examines the relationship between the Bamenda-Enugu roads with other countries.

Problems Encountered

The completion of this study has encountered some difficulties which are gaining access to documented works because little or practically nothing has been written on this topic. Also, major problems were that of getting in touch with most of the road users who used the road during its early stage, and other indigenous people who were eyewitnesses to this great development given the fact that most of the old road users are out of the village and some have died.

Some of those alive either forgot some horrible experiences posted on the road or voluntarily withheld information. Another has been great financial expenditure as much was spent on phone calls date subscription, transport and face-to-face interviews in a bid to get information from some informants.

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