NW, SW reconstruction plan: Minister Tasong begins implementing Dion Ngute’s major changes.

Tasong, who is also the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, began concrete work on implementing the fresh reforms in Bamenda, on Tuesday, September 17. 

This was during the second session of the North West Regional Follow-Up Committee of the plan. 

He used the meeting to announce the involvement of local partners to enhance project realisation.

The Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, who is also Chairperson of the Regional Committee, oversaw deliberations. In attendance were mayors and other stakeholders. 

Minister Tasong said during the meeting that Phases Two and Three of the projects have begun rolling. 

During the meeting, there was a review of the road covered when the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, was the lone implementing partner of the recovery phase.

Modifications, new framework

Speaking during the session, Minister Tasong emphasised that the decision stems from a Prime Ministerial Order signed in July, which brought in a framework as works move from the recovery phase to the reconstruction and development phases.

Thanks to the decision, he said the reconstruction plan now has “the opportunity of going into partnership with many other implementing partners, amongst which are the local and regional authorities, development and mission programs, the Regional Assembly, CSOs, NGOs and churches".

Minister Paul Tasong added that the PPRD-NW/SW will work closely with agro-industrial institutions like the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC; North West Development Authority, MIDENO and the Upper Noun Development Authority, UNVDA, to revamp sectors vital to the population and the economy.

"We are looking forward to identifying the agro-industrial needs of outfits that exist in the two Regions and horn finances in order to improve on the machinery which they need to improve on their productivity," Minister Tasong added.

Mayors, population tasked to show interest in project 

While thanking the population of the North West Region for continuously supporting the reconstruction plan, the minister called on all and sundry to show renewed interest in the scheme as it takes a new dimension.

He also called on mayors and representatives of would-be implementing partners to support the project and see how they can collectively rebuild the Region.

Enter North West Governor 

While presenting the current state of projects under the PPRD in the North West Region, Governor Adolphe Lele L'Afrique revealed that the population still needs more.

The Governor revealed that 258 projects have been completed, 38 ongoing and two others suspended. The projects, he said, cut across the health sector, education, roads, infrastructure, sports and others.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the City Mayor of Bamenda, Paul Achobong, to present a vivid picture of the current state of affairs in the regional capital.

Achobong highlighted that away from effects of the crisis like ghost towns and lockdowns, which have led to ineffective school resumption, the town of Bamenda is also plagued with floods and poor road networks. Participants hailed the new approach of the reconstruction plan to implement multiple local partners. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3234 of Thursday September 19, 2024