Boyo: New Belo Mayor tasked to contribute to effective schooling.

The administrative authority made the call in Belo on Friday August 30. He was speaking shortly after supervising an extraordinary council session that saw Mbu Alice elected mayor to replace late Dr Ngong Innocent. 

Speaking to the press after overseeing the exercise, the SDO saluted the conduct of the election, describing it as “free and fair”. He then urged Mayor Alice Mbu and her team to be fully involved in ensuring effective schooling in the municipality.

“We are on the eve of school resumption for the 2024/2025 academic year and we’re calling on the new mayor to work with all education stakeholders to resume their activities. She also has sensitise parents to send their children to school. We are there to supervise, guide and advise her…,” Saidou said. 

The administrator also underlined the importance of peace in the development of Belo.

For this reason, he said: “I am making this fervent appeal to her to work towards uniting the elite, all sons and daughters of Belo municipality to bring back long-lasting peace in this municipality. Peace is priceless and there can be no peace without development”. 

Mbu Alice’s emergence

The native of Mbessa and teacher by profession emerged as mayor of Belo, following an extra ordinary council session organised at the municipality’s council chambers. 

The hitherto First Deputy Mayor had assumed interim when Mayor Dr Ngong Innocent was brutally killed on May 20, 2024.

With the post of mayor vacant after the demise of Mayor Ngong, the SDO as per the law, had to convene councillors in a session to vote a new municipal authority.

The session which finally held on August 30, saw Mbu Alice and Councillor Ndiwum Gilbert, doubling as North West Regional Delegate of Housing and Urban Development, contesting for the position of Mayor.

Of the 38 votes cast, Mbu Alice got 25 while Ndiwum Gilbert secured 13. Also elected alongside Mbu Alice epse Ayong is councillor Achooh Lot who now occupies the post of Fourth Deputy Mayor.

The election finally held after two failed attempts. The first extraordinary session convened by the SDO on August 1, ran in to storm following disagreements and bitter exchanges.

The councillors had opposed the decision of the Central Committee of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CDPM to impose Ndiwum Gilbert as lone candidate for the post of mayor.

The party hierarchy had to intervene to restore order and another elective session was programmed for August 12. It was however called off at the last minute by the supervisory authority and finally had to take place last week.

‘We have to build Belo together’

Speaking shortly after her election, Mayor Mbu Alice extended words of gratitude to the councillors for the confidence placed in her person and promised to get everyone on board for the development of the municipality.

“I think that to build Belo, I can’t do that alone. I’m opened to listen to advice, I will consult people; we will sit and plan how to make the community better. I’m very positive about the future and I’m appealing to all Belo sons and daughters at home, in the country and even abroad to join us…,” she said.

Mbu Alice now has the huge responsibility of continuing from where the late Dr Ngong ended. She is first-ever woman to be elected Mayor in the history of Belo and Boyo Division. She is currently the lone female mayor among the 34 municipal authorities in the North West Region. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3217 of Monday September 02, 2024