International Journal of Humanitatis Theoreticus. Vol. 3. (Issue: 1); May, 2020 Community Water Resources Management: Blend of Stakeholder Complementality and Cooperation in Balikumbat Sub-Division, Cameroon Sabastian Ande BILLA Zephania Nji FOGWE1 Department of Geography and Planning, Department of Geography and Planning, The University of Bamenda, Northwest The University of Bamenda, Northwest Cameroon [email protected] Cameroon. ABSTRACT Rapid population upsurge is increasingly the root cause of water quality and quantity imbalances in the high plains of Balikumbat Sub-Division. This has caused varied stakeholder complementarity and cooperation strategy options sought to address water stress problems in the highlands plains that are a priori water abundant heavens in Balikumbat. Balikumbat communities within the Ndop plain depicts a topographic elevation that markedly contrasts with the rest of the communities where water excesses are rather a daily quandary. Water management and blend of stakeholder’s complementarity and cooperation alongside intricate mishmash of undulating relief and unstable climatic conditions on springs and well water supply influences the regularity of water supply in the area throughout the year. Such is exacerbated by multiform agrarian signatures on catchments worsened by eucalyptus trees invading spring sources. This study assesses the nature of stakeholder complementarity and cooperation level in community water management on the premise that these strategy options are more indigenous than exotic. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected for water sources, stakeholder typology, water demands and water management technologies through field observations, questionnaires, and interviews. Data collected were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using tables, percentages and mean. Findings revealed that most of the people opt for low technologies provided by stakeholders in water supply management as being more passive to complements their dearth need for the basic gold commodity – water. The study observed that stakeholder complementarity and cooperation with users can yield sustainable fruits when water supply schemes are design. The study found the need for a robust community involvement in water issues and a development of alternative water sources to complement existing sources through cooperation and coordinated use of watershed to ensure sustainable water availability. KEY WORDS: Stakeholder roles, water catchments, human pressure, water management, technologies 1. INTRODUCTION Water availability especially in quality has of recent been pivotal in the siting and growth of human settlements, assurance of food security and varied processes of income generation. This notwithstanding, an increasing number of people all over the world still go through serious water shortage dilemma which is indicative of the daily stakeholder strategies deployed in a bid to provide water for basic needs and prevent water-borne diseases. Such water needs being a minimum of 50 and 100 litres per person per day should be everyone’s right (WHO, 2010). According to the WHO, - 46 - International Journal of Humanitatis Theoreticus. Vol. 3. (Issue: 1); May, 2020 average water consumption for some 33 countries in Africa stands at 35 litres per person per day, therefore some 30% short of the 50 litres per day (WHO, 2008). This was painted by Ako Ako et al, (2009) who intimated that Cameroon is still experiencing a 16th Century-like water supply scenario in which the rural population that braces up for stream water with cattle, pigs and ruminants hence sending poor rural women and children to go for very long distances to fetch water. Rural water resources support its ecosystem, activities and people in various parts of the world such that water and socio-economic developments are mutually dependent yet the water management is largely a daunting task for a good number of communities. When water is rightly managed, it stands out as an honourable rural tool for poverty alleviation, economic recovery and economic growth (Lekunze, 2001). Conversely, poorly managed rural water is a gross impediment to raising poverty, thwarted health and low-slung productivity, insecurity and epileptic economic development. During the World Water Day (March 22nd 2007) the World Bank’s Vice President for Environmentally Sustainable Development predicted that many of the wars in this century were about oil, but wars of the next century would be over water. In line with MDG 7c, Cameroon declared the decade 2010-2020 in her Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP), to reduce the proportion of the people without access to safe drinking water projected at 75% of the population by half in 2020. Unfortunately by 2015 the MDG attainment target report gave a success rate of 46% with water, sanitation and hygiene still being less than average in Cameroon (MDG success rate evaluation, 2015). Such MDGs’ failure in the provision of drinkable water to all by 2015 gave birth to the Agenda 2030 through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG6 is based on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The target of this goal on water is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. Most communities in the study area are constructing low and exotic water schemes to reduce water scarcity in the area in line with the SDG6 target on water. The management strategy to be used by stakeholders to achieve good water availability comprises the sustainable management and protection of wetlands, rivers, educating people on water treatment technologies and the importance of avoiding water wastages by various stakeholders. Unfortunately, dwindling water resources in many parts of the world and especially in sub-Saharan Africa is a finger pointer to the very urgent need to initiate robust palliative measures to avert water scarcity. This is even more crucial in the Ndop plain distinct for its long meandering streams, cascading hills dissected by fast flowing rivers, gorging springs from overlying volcanic rock aquifers, extensive wetlands and countless wells and boreholes. This exhibits the potential volume of water in Balikumbat Sub- Division. The study objective is therefore to match stakeholders of community water resources and management policies within the communities of Balikumbat Sub-Division. 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 The study area - 47 - International Journal of Humanitatis Theoreticus. Vol. 3. (Issue: 1); May, 2020 Balikumbat is a Sub-Division in Ngoketunjia Division in the North West Region of Cameroon (Figure 1). Created by Decree No. 92/187 of 1st September 1992, the population was 58,374 inhabitants in 2005 (National Census 2005) unequally spread on an area of 973 km2 with major human concentration on the Balikumbat tableland which rises abruptly from the Ndop plain with an average height of between 1,100m to about 1,500m above sea level with the Lamissang escarpment in the east. Figure 1: Location of Balikumbat Sub-Division - 48 - International Journal of Humanitatis Theoreticus. Vol. 3. (Issue: 1); May, 2020 This tableland serves as the watershed for the five sub divisional villages of Balikumbat, Bamunkumbit, Bafanji, Baligashu and Baligansin that lie between latitude 05ͦ 50' to 5ͦ 95' North of the Equator and longitudes 10ͦ 20' to 10ͦ 30' East of the Greenwich Meridian. Balikumbat Sub-Division is bounded in the north by Tubah Sub-Division that is the extension of the Western High Lava Plateau, in the east by Ndop Central Sub-Division, in the south by Galim Sub-Division and in the west by Santa Sub-Division which are all extensions of the lava plateau. 2.2 Methods of data collection and analysis Varied methods were used in the acquisition, analyzing and presentation of data collected for stakeholder’s involvement, complementarity and cooperation in the management of water resources in Balikumbat Sub-Division. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed. Qualitative data were collected through experiences on water resource management by the community, their beliefs, tradition and cultural perspectives on water resources. Quantitative data were collected from the various stakeholders, water sources, technologies of extraction, uses of water, regulation and management strategies through field observations and on-the-spot appraisals. Secondary data were collected through reviews, research publications, policies and frameworks for the management of water in Cameroon. To figure out the number of households to be sampled, 30 percent of a total of 567 households (Balikumbat Council, 2017) were selected. The 30 percent of the total households gave 0.3 x 567 = 170. Therefore, a total of 170 questionnaires were administered in randomly selected and spatially representative major quarters within each village in Balikumbat Sub- Division. This was closely complemented using the Global Position System in the mapping of watersheds, springs, wells and stand taps. Stream discharge trends over time were determined from interviews made with aged persons living in the stream’s areas. Quantifiable hydrographic data were also taken to compare and contrast with the qualitative data provided by the questionnaires and assessed in percentages, percentages deviations, expected and observed frequencies of stakeholders and technologies. Microsoft Excel statistical options and Chi square statistical comparism permitted the study to establish the