Impromptu Markets Erupt in Mbengwi

Impromptu Markets Erupt in Mbengwi

With the collapse of the Tad weekly market, the biggest in Mbengwi Central Sub Division in the N.W region of Cameroon, caused by the ongoing anglophone crisis, new temporal markets have been sprouting up within the central town of the municipality. As such, sellers are now compelled to move from the suburbs with their produce to Mile 19 and Mile 18 to meet buyers. On Wednesday September 12 2018, Tad market was supposed to function in Nyen village, located some 3km from Mbengwi town but instead, brisk business went on at Hilltop Mile 19 and Mbon Park Mile 18.

Items on Sale

Madam Asah Grace, a buyer at the make shift market at Mile 18 explained that she didn't go to Tad market in Nyen because she discovered that all those who were supposed to sell in Tad have instead come to Mbengwi. From her findings, traders aren't going there because of the way the market's been destroyed. As for the pricing, she said she bought a bucket of garri for 4.000F, a bucket of cocoyams for 4.500F but the prices weren't stable. They fluctuate depending on the bargaining power of the buyer

Aerial View of Mile 19 Hilltop Market Site

Contrary to allegations that Mbengwi is highly deserted, the population that showed up this day at these temporal market sites clearly indicated that there is still much life within the Mbengwi municipality. Farm produce like palm oil, garri and domestics animals like pigs, goats were very much available for sale. The reasons why buyers and sellers can't still access the Tad market despite the opening up of the roads by the military that were barricaded with tree trunks by separatist fighters are explained by Mr. Ndaya James, a vendor. "The problem is bad roads. The bridge at 3-Corners, Mbemi has been dismantled. So heavy duty vehicles can't transport goods to and from the market."

Domestic Animals for Sale

It is reported that because of the desperation of the vendors, buyers are now taking advantage of the crises situation to pay lesser prices. Sellers too have no choice than to sell cheap. Mr James once more, "The prices have been falling down. Garri that we used to sell 25 cups is now being sold at 27/30 cups for a thousand." He went ahead to complain about means of transportation, that many vendors have no choice than to carry their produce on their heads from the suburbs to Mbengwi town.

It is hoped that in the near future, municipal authorities will put in place measures to see that Tad market regains its fallen glories before such temporal sites become permanent.