Abstract

This study investigates the impact of corruption on infrastructural development in Buea, Cameroon, focusing on the effects of bribery, embezzlement of public funds, and bureaucratic corruption. The research employs a descriptive survey design, combining quantitative and qualitative data collected through structured questionnaires administered to 100 respondents, including public officials, contractors, and community members in Buea Municipality.

The study aims to address the gaps in existing literature by providing empirical evidence on how corrupt practices specifically hinder the quality, completion, and efficiency of infrastructure projects in the region. Key findings reveal that bribery is pervasive in contract awards and project execution, with 85% of respondents acknowledging its prevalence.

This practice leads to inflated costs (87% agreement) and substandard project quality (100% agreement). Embezzlement of public funds is another critical issue, with 40% of respondents reporting frequent diversion of resources and 48% noting the occurrence of “ghost projects,” resulting in abandoned or unfinished infrastructure.

Bureaucratic corruption, characterized by deliberate delays (88% agreement) and favouritism in contract awards (70% agreement), further exacerbates inefficiencies and delays in project completion. The study concludes that corruption significantly undermines infrastructural development in Buea, manifesting in poor-quality projects, financial mismanagement, and systemic inefficiencies. These findings align with global research on corruption but highlight the urgent need for localized anti-corruption measures.

Recommendations include implementing stricter oversight mechanisms, adopting digital platforms for transparency, and fostering community engagement to hold officials accountable. The study contributes to the discourse on governance and development by emphasizing the detrimental effects of corruption on public infrastructure and advocating for systemic reforms to ensure sustainable progress.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

Corruption originates from the Latin word ‘’corruptus’’, which is the past participle of corrupter, which means bribe, mar or destroy. Corruption is as old as human history; the first dynasty (3100-2700 bc) of ancient Egypt noted corruption in its judiciary, ancient china where Chinese mythology smeared cake of sugar and honey onto the picture of the kitchen god they kept in their homes before burning the image, Greek historian Herodotus notes the Alcmaeonid family bribed the Oracle of Delphi priestesses. The cited evidence, suggests that it has been around the world from time immemorial, and, in recent times, it has occupied a front seat in global discussions. Despite its presence everywhere, there exists no universally accepted definition of corruption, and this constitutes one of the principal difficulties in studying the phenomenon. 

According to the World Bank, (2012), corruption is mostly described as the abuse of public power for private gain moralists describe corruption as ’’an immoral and unethical phenomenon that contains a set of moral aberrations from moral standards of society, causing loss of respect for and confidence in duly constituted authority’’. Despite the differences in the definition of corruption from the public-centred to the market-centred perspectives, and from the revisionist to moralist perceptions, there is however unanimity in the condemnation of corruption which is a global predicament that hinders economic growth, threatens the integrity of markets, undermines fair competition, distorts resource allocation, destroys public trust, and cripples the rule of law (Crouch et al., 2012). In the 20th century, the World Bank estimated international bribery exceeds $1.5 trillion annually, which is 2% of Global.

The advent of the 21st century brought about changes in the fight against corruption which was until then, predominantly handled by local courts. Several institutions were created to combat this crime in Cameroon. The very first of these was the National Anti-Corruption Observatory created in 2000 following pressure mounted on the Cameroonian government by the US State Department, the Britton Woods Institutions and Transparency International. Lack of financial and structural autonomy marred the functioning of this institution, thereby leading to its replacement with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC, known by its French acronym CONAC) in 2006. Since its creation, CONAC has led the fight against conniption mainly via investigation of corrupt officials and transmission of the reports to the Presidency to visa the prosecution of the criminals (Forsberg, 2013).

In Cameroon, corruption has been identified as a major obstacle to effective infrastructural development, with embezzlement and bribery diverting funds meant for public projects (Bechem, 2018). The misallocation of resources due to corrupt practices has led to substandard infrastructure, delayed projects, and increased costs, exacerbating poverty and inequality (World Bank, 2020). Buea, a municipality in Cameroon, has not been spared from these challenges, as evidenced by poorly constructed roads and unfinished public buildings (Atangana, 2012).

The public sector in Cameroon has historically struggled with accountability and transparency, creating fertile ground for corrupt practices (Transparency International, 2013). Studies have shown that bureaucratic corruption, including bribery and favouritism in contract awards, is rampant in infrastructure projects (Ndah et al., 2020). These practices undermine the quality of work, as contractors often cut corners to recoup bribes paid to officials (OECD, 2021). The resulting infrastructure deficits have dire consequences for citizens, including reduced access to essential services and increased transportation costs (UN-Habitat, 2022).

Infrastructural development is critical for socio-economic progress, yet corruption disrupts its potential (UN-Habitat, 2022). In Cameroon, corrupt practices such as inflated contracts and ghost projects have diverted resources from meaningful development (CONAC, 2018). These issues are compounded by weak institutional frameworks and inadequate oversight mechanisms (OECD, 2021). The consequences are evident in the deteriorating state of public infrastructure, which fails to meet the needs of the population (Tande, 2019).

The role of bribery in infrastructure projects cannot be overstated, as it distorts competition and awards contracts to unqualified firms (Akem, 2018). This results in subpar work and frequent project abandonment, as seen in Buea’s unfinished bridges and roads (Fonchingong and Gemandze, 2009). Embezzlement further exacerbates the problem, with funds siphoned off before reaching project sites (World Bank, 2020). Such practices erode public trust and perpetuate cycles of underdevelopment (Transparency International, 2021).

Bureaucratic corruption, characterized by deliberate delays and unnecessary paperwork, also hampers project efficiency (OECD, 2021). In Buea, officials often exploit these delays to solicit bribes, further stalling progress (Ngwa & Fomba, 2020). The cumulative effect of these corrupt practices is a dysfunctional infrastructure system that fails to serve its intended purpose (UN-Habitat, 2022). Addressing these issues requires a thorough understanding of their root causes and impacts.

• Statement of the Problem

The issue of misappropriation of funds constitutes a fundamental problem in the public sector. Embezzlement and corruption in the public sector have registered a severe adverse impact on the public sector. This is primarily due to the practices of these evils in various sectors of the public sector. This includes; fraudulent activities between shareholders and members in an organization, the abusive seizure of goods in the customs service and favouritism in the award of government contracts for unjustifiable reasons. The case of misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds in Cameroon resulted in the economic recession which led to the implementation of some stringent policies by the government.

Buea faces serious problems with its infrastructure projects. Many roads, bridges, and public buildings are poorly built, delayed, or never finished. The main reason is corruption, including bribery in contracts, stealing of public money, and unnecessary delays by officials. This corruption wastes money meant for development and makes life harder for citizens. While people know corruption exists, little clear data is showing how it specifically destroyed Buea’s infrastructure.

While corruption in infrastructure is a known issue in Cameroon, there is limited empirical research focusing specifically on Buea and quantifying its impact. This study seeks to address this gap by examining how bribery, embezzlement, and bureaucratic corruption directly affect the quality, completion rates, and efficiency of infrastructural projects in Buea.

• Research Questions
  • General Research Question

What is the effect of corruption on infrastructural development in Buea?

• Specific Research Questions

1. What is the impact of bribery on the award and execution of infrastructural projects in Buea?
2. How does the embezzlement of public funds affect the quality and completion of infrastructural development in Buea?
3. In what ways does bureaucratic corruption influence the efficiency of infrastructural projects in Buea?

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