BY NDIMUH B. SHANCHO
The separatist lockdown imposed in the North West and South West regions prior to the start of the 2019/2020 academic year, which according to the Sako-led Ambazonian Interim Government, was to begin on Monday August 26, 2019 has this Tuesday, August 27, been defied with normal bustling in some towns and timid activities in others.
In Buea, the chief town of the South West region, streets were deserted and business premises locked in the early hours of the morning but started regaining activities by 9 am as if to say inhabitants were testing the waters. A tour by 10 am on this supposed day-two of the lockdown, saw over 80% of shops, offices, off-licenses and other businesses along the highway from the Bonduma through to Molyko and even mile 17 and 16 prone to gun shots and attacks opened and vibrant.
Circulations, which were timid in the early hours of the day, also gathered steam with a good number of taxis and private cars plying the highway. At the Mile 17 bus station for example, business activities were in full-swim with passengers traveling to different parts of the country and traders selling goods and services unperturbed. A similar scenario was seen in Kumba, Muntengene, Tiko and Limbe.
A few persons, were however spotted at the Mile 17 bus station with mattresses, beds, gaz bottles and others, probably escaping another announced lockdown for September 2, 2019 by other factions of the separatist movement.
In Bamenda, chief town of the North West region, the lockdown seems to have gotten hold of the people with business activities grounded and timid circulation of motor bikes reported. Speaking to The SUN from Hospital Round-About in Bamenda at 1pm, August 27, a shop owner who preferred anonymity, said “shops and businesses are all locked here in Bamenda. I had planned to purchase some goods for my business this morning but neighbours who went out told me not to, that shops are not opened”. This was confirmed by another Bamenda resident in Ngomgham quarter, who preferred to be simply known as Oliver.
In Ndop, chief town of the Ngoketunjia Division, a resident of Long Street, speaking to The SUN disclosed that economic activities and circulations have remained grounded. “We are all indoors. I stepped out a few minutes ago to see if there were movements but not even bikes are circulating; business places are all locked,” she added.
Whether the people of Bamenda and Ndop are indoors because they are scared for their life and property, or are sympathizing with those who implemented the lockdown, and whether those in Buea, Kumba, Muntengene and Tiko are waiting to observe the lockdown beginning September 2 or have simply took up the challenge to defy the impasse, are issues still be ironed out.