violet fokum | University of Buea (original) (raw)
Address: Buea, Cameroon
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Sociology International Journal
Society & Natural Resources
ABSTRACT About 58% of inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, have no access to po... more ABSTRACT About 58% of inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, have no access to potable water. The water sector in Cameroon has undergone restructuring in the wake of public-sector reforms and privatization. This article examines the extent to which privatization of water management has impacted on water crisis in peri-urban areas. It is framed within the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by half the proportion of people without access to portable water by 2015 and on the neoliberal argument for the privatization of public goods. Primary data emanate from interviews conducted among local inhabitants and public and water authorities of five purposively selected municipalities. Findings suggest that privatization of the water sector has not improved the water problems of peri-urban inhabitants. Inhabitants are experiencing water shortages, rationing, poor coverage, and high pricing, as investments in infrastructure lag behind the rising demand for the utility. In the prevailing circumstances, public–private partnership presents a possible alternative for Cameroon.
There is a new phenomenon in developing countries where land previously used by communities is be... more There is a new phenomenon in developing countries where land previously used by communities is being taken over by foreign investors (mostly from Europe, America, China, Gulf States, and other non-western countries) and governments for agriculture, mining and other economic projects. Findings from several studies have so far pointed to the controversial impact of large scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) on affected communities. LSLAs go along with water grabbing but the latter is often (consciously or unconsciously) omitted in the land deals. This has broad effects on the livelihood of local communities, particularly women. This paper uses many examples and arguments from desktop review to describe land grabbing in Africa and examines the extent to which community rights to water are taken into consideration or neglected in land deals; and the likely effects on women. It interrogates the levels of accountability of foreign investors vis-à-vis landed communities and concludes among othe...
Sociology International Journal
Society & Natural Resources
ABSTRACT About 58% of inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, have no access to po... more ABSTRACT About 58% of inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, have no access to potable water. The water sector in Cameroon has undergone restructuring in the wake of public-sector reforms and privatization. This article examines the extent to which privatization of water management has impacted on water crisis in peri-urban areas. It is framed within the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by half the proportion of people without access to portable water by 2015 and on the neoliberal argument for the privatization of public goods. Primary data emanate from interviews conducted among local inhabitants and public and water authorities of five purposively selected municipalities. Findings suggest that privatization of the water sector has not improved the water problems of peri-urban inhabitants. Inhabitants are experiencing water shortages, rationing, poor coverage, and high pricing, as investments in infrastructure lag behind the rising demand for the utility. In the prevailing circumstances, public–private partnership presents a possible alternative for Cameroon.
There is a new phenomenon in developing countries where land previously used by communities is be... more There is a new phenomenon in developing countries where land previously used by communities is being taken over by foreign investors (mostly from Europe, America, China, Gulf States, and other non-western countries) and governments for agriculture, mining and other economic projects. Findings from several studies have so far pointed to the controversial impact of large scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) on affected communities. LSLAs go along with water grabbing but the latter is often (consciously or unconsciously) omitted in the land deals. This has broad effects on the livelihood of local communities, particularly women. This paper uses many examples and arguments from desktop review to describe land grabbing in Africa and examines the extent to which community rights to water are taken into consideration or neglected in land deals; and the likely effects on women. It interrogates the levels of accountability of foreign investors vis-à-vis landed communities and concludes among othe...