Access to Safe Drinking Water: a Consumer Problem in Cameroonn
ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER: A CONSUMER PROBLEM IN CAMEROON
ABSTRACT
Cameroon is today experiencing acute water shortage in spite of its abundant water resources. The deplorable condition of water supply has impacted negatively on households who rely on water to meet everyday’s needs. Poor management by water supplier and inadequate infrastructure has greatly hampered consumer’s access to this resource, with ensuing consequences. This study examines the problems associated with accessibility of drinking water in Cameroon. It reveals that the mechanisms adopted to ensure accessibility to water for consumers are not yielding the desired results. To compound it all, there is no regulatory body for water in Cameroon. It recommends a more rigorous legislative intervention and the institution of a regulatory body for water in Cameroon, as measures to improve accessibility of this precious resource. It also recommends the promotion of public participation in water sector reform.
1.0 INTRODUCTION The contemporary era is marked as the era of consumers. This can be argued on the basis of fast enactment of consumer protection laws in almost all part of the world . Apart from the consumer protection laws in developed world, we could find the accelerated rate of lawmaking for consumers in developing countries like Nigeria , and other countries. Cameroon is not an exception to this rule. The 2011 Framework Law on Consumer Protection in Cameroon is one of the examples that are to be treated as a milestone in the history of socio-economic legislation to protect the interests of consumers in Cameroon. We all are consumers in one form or another. But in the present socio economic scenario we find that the consumer is a victim of many unfair and unethical tactics adopted both in the market place and in the provision of public utilties. The untrained consumer is no match for the businessman marketing goods and services on an organized basis and by trained
ABSTRACT
Cameroon is today experiencing acute water shortage in spite of its abundant water resources. The deplorable condition of water supply has impacted negatively on households who rely on water to meet everyday’s needs. Poor management by water supplier and inadequate infrastructure has greatly hampered consumer’s access to this resource, with ensuing consequences. This study examines the problems associated with accessibility of drinking water in Cameroon. It reveals that the mechanisms adopted to ensure accessibility to water for consumers are not yielding the desired results. To compound it all, there is no regulatory body for water in Cameroon. It recommends a more rigorous legislative intervention and the institution of a regulatory body for water in Cameroon, as measures to improve accessibility of this precious resource. It also recommends the promotion of public participation in water sector reform.
1.0 INTRODUCTION The contemporary era is marked as the era of consumers. This can be argued on the basis of fast enactment of consumer protection laws in almost all part of the world . Apart from the consumer protection laws in developed world, we could find the accelerated rate of lawmaking for consumers in developing countries like Nigeria , and other countries. Cameroon is not an exception to this rule. The 2011 Framework Law on Consumer Protection in Cameroon is one of the examples that are to be treated as a milestone in the history of socio-economic legislation to protect the interests of consumers in Cameroon. We all are consumers in one form or another. But in the present socio economic scenario we find that the consumer is a victim of many unfair and unethical tactics adopted both in the market place and in the provision of public utilties. The untrained consumer is no match for the businessman marketing goods and services on an organized basis and by trained
References: -Ben W.F.Depooter, “Regualtion of Natural Monopoly”(1999) -Blaise.H -Christopher F. Tamasang, “The Right to Water in Cameroon: Legal Framework for Sustainable Utilisation” (2007) -Elias Ntungwe Ngalame, “As Dry Period Worsen, Cameroon’s Government Rations Water (June 2013) Thomson Reuters Foundation -Mofor Samuel, “Cameroon: How Affordable is Potable Water for Communities” (2010) The Recorder News line -Sahoo,Sheetal and Chatterjee, Aman, “Consumer Protection-Problems and Prospects” (August 2009) Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc. -Decree No 2001/162/PM of 8May 2001 laying down the Conditions for the Appointment of Officials to Monitor and Control Water Quality -Consumer Protection Act of Nigeria, 1992