Haywire streetlights cause traffic jam in Buea
Does Buea really need traffic lights?
Can machines really ever replace humans?
The town of Buea, formerly known as The Town of Legendary Hospitality, has witnessed major changes recently. It was baptised Town of Excellence by its former mayor, late Ekema Patrick; it has been a host to asylum seekers from neighbouring regions and localities; and is been gradually fine tuned for this end-of-year festive season.
The residents of Buea should have witnessed the installation of roadside pillar-like structures at major roundabouts and T-junction that have turned out to be streetlights, an amazing phenomenon for them as this town has never had streetlights before.
These streetlights are supposedly meant to regulate traffic flow, which has increased rapidly as the affluence of people –with their properties and businesses – continue. But it seems they are not yet entirely functional, and ready for the streets.
The four streetlights implanted at Royal Pharmacy roundabout gave drivers and passers-by a difficult time this morning. They went haywire and were all lit on the red colour. It's worth noting that this roundabout is located some meters from a populous roadside market.
Luckily, two agents from the traffic control police were present to decongest traffic. And we soon witnessed a fluid flow of traffic. Until I left the scene, the streetlights were still red and the traffic control agents were ignoring them.
