At first follow-up meeting in Bamenda: Local authorities hail reconstruction plan’s population-oriented projects.

The satisfactory remarks were made in Bamenda on Friday July 14. This was during the first meeting of the North West Regional Follow-up Committee of the PPRD-NW/SW.

The maiden Regional Follow-up Committee meeting was chaired by North West Governor, Adolphe Lele L'afrique. It was in the presence of the PPRD-NW/SW delegation, led by the National Coordinator, Tamajong Motuba Obase. 

Also present were members of the implementing partner and local field coordinator of the plan in the North West Region and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.

The meeting centred on presentations and discussions on the various projects being implemented by UNDP in all seven divisions of the Region.

Mayors express satisfaction

Speaking during the meeting, mayors expressed satisfaction with the inclusive nature of the projects and also the bottom-up approach being used by UNDP to implement the projects.

The mayor of Nkambe, Musa Shey Nfor, said he was very satisfied because almost all the projects in his municipality have led to the employment of some youth.

"First, it is a bottom-top approach, which means that the programme takes into consideration the aspirations of the population. Secondly, it is very inclusive because we have seen a lot of women, youth, and persons living with disabilities who have been benefiting," Mayor Musa Shey said.

He also added that his municipality has already benefited water and agriculture projects from the plan. Musa Shey said these are key and beneficial projects to his municipality.

According to the mayor of Benakuma, Ihimbru Solomon, the assessment needs of the population was first conducted, which paved the way for them to benefit a lot, including agricultural tools, which are the domain that his people are mostly into.

"The PPRD-NW-SW is a laudable initiative. We have benefitted so much from the plan, including rehabilitation assistance and farm tools like oil mills, cassava mills and many others, which will help improve on the productivity of agriculture in my municipality," Mayor Ihimbru said.

The North West Regional Coordinator of UNDP, Mary Nyuyinui, while projecting some of the completed and ongoing projects, revealed that separatist fighters have been a thorn in the implementation process in some communities.

Mary Nyuyinui added that so far, projects have been carried out in all three pillars, including reconstruction of infrastructures, revitalisation of local economy, and the restoration of social cohesion.

North West governor contented 

For his part, Governor Adolphe Lele L'afrique said he is happy with the collaboration and reactions from the implementing partner and the representatives of the beneficiary population.

The governor also appealed to stakeholders to organise and assist in the implementation of the projects, especially in the grassroots. He frowned at individuals who are trying to slow down the project, by embezzling funds meant for projects in their communities.

"I am warning those who are not only reducing the speed of the implementation of the projects, but some who are receiving assistance for the population and trying to embezzle it," Governor Adolphe Lele cautioned.

For his part, the National Coordinator, of the PPRD-NW-SW, Tamajong Motuba Obase, called on mayors and other authorities to give maximum support to the implementing partner to make sure that all the projects are executed within the given time.

The PPRD-NW-SW is a component of the National Development Plan of 2020-2030, aimed at reducing the effects of the socio-political crisis for affected communities in the North West and South West Regions. 

It is also government's efforts to resolve the current crisis, adding to other key reforms like the establishment of a Special Status for the North West and South West Regions.