Buea: SW stakeholders embrace reorganised reconstruction plan.

They made the approval during the second Regional Follow-up Committee meeting of the PPRD in Buea Thursday. The Regional Chairperson of the Follow-up Committee, Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai, chaired discussions.

Deliberations took place in the presence of the PPRD-NW/SW Steering Committee Chairperson, Minister Paul Njukang Tasong.

During the meeting, local elected representatives of the South West Region, including municipal councillors, regional councillors, and members of the Regional Assembly among others, stated their commitment to accompany the government and its partners in implementing the reorganised plan.

Minister Tasong used the meeting to unveil the new framework of the plan to stakeholders. He indicated that under the new dispensation, the project will have more implementing partners.

The changes come following Order No. 075/CAB/PM of 30 July 2024, signed by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. 

The Order mandated local and regional councils to play active roles in the implementation of projects under the PPRD.

According to Minister Tasong, this will strengthen local involvement, increase the autonomy of councils and Regional Assemblies in development while receiving support from state stakeholders.

The focus now, he said, is on decentralised local collectivises, including local councils, Regional Assemblies, development missions and deconcentrated State services in piloting the councils to manage and lead the reconstruction and development of their communities. 

He told participants that the new phase will also include the inclusion of mayors in the Regional Follow-up Committee. Their presence, he added, will ensure proper project follow-up and accountability.

The decentralisation and deconcentration of projects, the minister said, will ensure efficiency and inclusiveness in the selection, maturation, contract execution, monitoring and evaluation. 

Under the new dispensation, Minister Tasong sounded confident that the reconstruction plan will gain more visibility.

Minister Tasong calls for grassroots adherence 

Addressing stakeholders, Minister Paul Tasong said government initially entrusted the plan to the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, because of its expertise in other parts of the world and the reigning climate of insecurity in the two Regions.

He saluted the UNDP for work done but told stakeholders that the new changes warrant a fresh grassroots commitment to ensure success.

Special interest on CDC, PAMOL

While noting the successes of the recovery phase of the plan, the minister announced that there will be a special interest in the Cameroon Development Cooperation, CDC, and PAMOL plantations.

He intimated that “…when these industries suffer, the general population suffers”. He said the two companies are vital in the socio-economic recovery of the South West Region.

Governor calls for focus

The Governor of the South West Region, who doubles as the President of the Regional Follow-up Committee called on all local actors to remain focused and determined to implement the projects to which the State attaches much importance. 

He said the new changes have made the reconstruction plan more inclusive and visible to the population.

Elected officials say eager to get to work

The President of the South West Regional Assembly, Bakoma Zacchaeus Elango, also hailed the changes in the reconstruction plan.

Bakoma said the South West Regional Assembly is ready to continue playing its role in boosting key project realisation like it has been doing before now.

The Director General, DG, of the South West Development Authority, SOWEDA, Dr Besong Orgork Ntui, similarly said his institution is anxious and ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders in the implementation of the project.

His Majesty Ita Ayamba Jacques, mayor of the Eyumokock Council in Manyu Division, said the involvement of local councils reaffirms government’s believe in their ability to power local development.

He begged those charged with the plan to make provision for the establishment of lost documents, especially for those who fled insecurity to Nigeria. 

The municipal authority also said people are in need of even capital to relaunch their businesses.

The mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Christopher, for his part, appreciated the re-organised plan. He said in the previous phase, his municipality benefitted a lot.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3235 of Friday September 20, 2024