Boyo: Abuh Progressive Union revamped to foster development.

Dubbed APU Reboot Congress, the sitting was chaired by APU National President, Wainanchi Lawrence. It held under the theme: “Life lived for others is a life worthwhile”. 

In his opening remarks, APU National President regretted that water, roads, education, electricity projects earmarked to be realised in Abuh, have been abandoned due the raging armed conflict, born out of the Anglophone crisis.

Wainanchi said the Bamenda congress was to find a way forward to foster development in Abuh. 

Apart from general discussions that ensued during the congress, there was work in several commissions that were set up to identify key development projects in Abuh.

The commissions listed and examined projects in a number of domains, including water, electricity, education, roads among others.

In the domain of roads, members of the commission set up for that purpose proposed the purchase and sharing of labour tools to various quarters to be used for road maintenance.

The Douala branch of the union stated they already donated tools for community labour while the Yaounde branch has continued the construction of bridges along the Mùkù road. 

APU also saluted the pledge of the Northwest Regional Delegate for Public Works, Ngwainbi Paul to carry out feasibility studies along the Abuh road and the road to Mùkù. 

Envisaged water & electricity projects

In order to enable more community members, have access to potable water, APU is envisaging the reconstruction of the main pipeline through Abuikui to Isaibuh and Atuabuh.

“APU will protect all water catchments and allow maintenance along the pipelines to the various quarter development unions,” reads one of the resolutions of the congress.

It was also resolved that the union will train the technicians working on the water pipeline and that an annual maintenance levy will be instituted for all those in the village when the water scheme is stable.

In the area of electrification, solar system was proposed as a source of energy to light the village. 

It was also made known during the meeting congress that feasibility studies were already being carried for Abuh to be electrified by Energy of Cameroon, ENEO.

One of the elite of the community, Fuchi Thomas, proposed that this could be achieved through lobbying and bringing in the two neigbouring villages, Ngwah and Muteff.

Fostering education

Concerning education, APU expressed concerns that several schools have not been operational since the Anglophone crisis morphed into an armed conflict in 2017.

In order to encourage children, return to school, the union has encouraged the cleaning of schools and has proposed for holiday classes to be organised, prior to the start of the 2024/2025 academic year.

There was also a proposal for the repair works to be carried out in the science laboratory of GHS Abuh that was broken into and some equipment stolen. 

APU also intends to institute a scholarship scheme to encourage education among Abuh sons and daughters. 

Financing of projects

On the mobilisation of funds, APU identified sources including the main quarter development unions, external branches, individual support and yearly contribution of 5, 000 FCFA from each son and daughter of Abuh

“An online platform will be created for those out of Abuh. Some focal collection points will be created in Abuh for the collection of these levies,”. 

It was agreed that funds shall only be raised towards identified and approved projects by APU. 

Following a fundraising organised during the congress, the sum of 869,000 FCFA was collected with pledges amounting to 150,000 FCFA. It should be noted that during the Bamenda congress, APU national executive was also revamped with the creation of five new positions.

They are Women’s President and Vice; Youth President and Vice as well as Publicity Secretary.

The congress also had in attendance Councilor Ghangha Linus who represented the Mayor of Fundong Council and Bobe Mbeng Emmanuel who sat in for the Second Class Chief of Abuh.

In his concluding remarks during the congress, APU President General challenged Abuh indigenes to work towards the implementation of the various resolutions arrived at.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3150 of Wednesday June 26, 2024