Camwater is addressing the alarming water crisis in Cameroon, tackling illegal connections and significant meter theft. With over 10,000 stolen meters reported, the company is enforcing strict measures against offenders and calling for public cooperation to ensure equitable access to water.
Camwater, the public enterprise responsible for the distribution of potable water in Cameroon, has successfully dismantled an extensive illegal water network that disrupted the nation’s water supply. These unauthorized connections diminished water pressure and compromised service quality, causing frequent interruptions for numerous consumers.
In a recent announcement, Camwater emphasized that water theft is both unlawful and harmful to the community. The company has committed to implementing stringent measures against offenders, ensuring they are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, Camwater has reported a concerning rise in water meter thefts, with over 10,000 meters stolen across Cameroon in the past five years. Douala emerged as the city with the highest incidence, recording nearly 3,000 thefts, while Yaoundé followed closely with over 2,600 incidents. The West region reported 2,110 stolen meters, with the East region having the lowest impact, totaling only 40 cases.
Statistics indicate a significant surge in meter thefts. In Douala, incidents increased from 310 in 2018 to 927 in 2022. Yaoundé saw a rise from 44 cases to 1,316 during the same timeframe. Conversely, the Littoral region, which reported no thefts in 2018, has recorded 80 thefts recently.
Camwater noted that the primary motivation behind the theft of meters is the value of their copper components. This trend has resulted in considerable water losses and elevated costs for customers, who are forced to buy replacement meters, thereby tightening household budgets.
Officials from Camwater are calling for the public to raise awareness and collaborate in the fight against water theft and fraud, highlighting that these actions jeopardize equitable access to clean drinking water.
In summary, Camwater is confronting significant challenges with illegal water connections and rising meter theft in Cameroon. With over 10,000 instances of meter theft reported, particularly in Douala and Yaoundé, the company’s efforts to combat these issues are critical. Public cooperation and awareness are essential to safeguard the community’s access to potable water.
Original Source: www.cameroon-concord.com
