Exploring the influence of a community-based project on rural livelihood in Cameroon: The case of the Kumbo Water Authority project.
Creators: name: Ambe, Patience Lum
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2018
Subjects: Water
Sustainability
Stakeholders
Kumbo community
Cameroon

description: Abstract Introduction: Potable water is vital for human existence, but scarce in certain areas. Purpose: The research focused on exploring Kumbo potable water on the livelihood of the rural inhabitants of the Kumbo community in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. It also examined stakeholders' involvement in the project and the sustainability of the project. Methods: The research was a descriptive qualitative case study that used in-depth individual interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews as sources of data. 21 participants were involved and they included key informants, community leaders, households, focus groups, and staff of the Kumbo water project. Informant feedback or member checking was used to as a strategy to establish validity of data collected. The Nvivo software was used for data storage, management and to facilitate analysis. Results: The findings identified 4 major themes: participants’ perspectives of accessibility of water provided by the project, stakeholders and their roles in the management of the project, social and economic factors influencing the livelihood of the Kumbo population and the sustainability of the project. Majority of the interviewed participants reported that the water project has increased the accessibility of potable water in the Kumbo community. However, stakeholders involved in the management of the project has changed over time since its inception (from the Department of Public Works, Department of Urban Development, National Water Supply Company of Cameroon (commonly known as SNEC- a French acronym), Nso Development Association (NSODA), and currently Kumbo Water Authority (KWA) and Nso Community Water). Besides the KWA and Nso Community Water currently involved in the management of the project, the Governor of the Northwest region, the Senior Divisional Officer of Bui division, the Paramount Chief of Kumbo, and the Mayor of the Kumbo Urban Council are stakeholders involved in this project. Nevertheless, all these stakeholders have undefined roles and they often make conflicting decisions on how the project should be managed. The undefined roles of these stakeholders compounded by climate change and population expulsion threatens the sustainability of this water project. These setbacks have reduced the quantity of water supplied by the project to the community; resulting in the rationing of water. Conclusion: The findings of this study have revealed that the inhabitants of the Kumbo community perceived that the water project provides accessible and clean water needed for their livelihood. Nonetheless, conflicts between stakeholders has led to the poor management of the project, and this can potentially lead to waterborne diseases in the community. To protect the health of the population, stakeholders need to come to a compromise on how to better manage this project. Also, multiple case studies of similar projects in and around the region may further highlight best practices of water governance and its benefit to rural communities in Cameroon.