Cameroon

Highlights of the essay by Jean-Paul Brice Affana (Cameroon) who is one of the eight finalists of The World Bank Essay Competition 2009.

Jean Paul is from Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. According to him, one will be surprised to find the number of yellow taxis and motorbikes plying the streets of Yaoundé. Most of the taxi drivers use “Zoa-Zoa” fuel to run their taxis. “Zoa-Zoa” is adulterated petrol illegally supplied in Yaoundé. Its poisonous emissions are affecting the environment and the health of the people. There are about 18,000 taxis and motorbikes running in Yaoundé and most of the taxi drivers are unaware of the fact that the adulterated fuel that they are using not only spoils the engine of their vehicles but also poses a severe threat to the environment.

Jean Paul believes that ignorance of the impacts of human activities on the environment and the lack of awareness about climate change lead to such irresponsible actions by the citizens of Yaoundé.