At audience in Yaounde: Urban dev’t minister, NW MPs discuss growth strategies.

This was during an audience the minister granted to over 15 lawmakers in Yaounde on October 8, 2024.

Speaking at the event, Minister Ketcha Courtès assured the MPs of the government’s dedication to making sure the Head of State’s wish of modernising the country’s cities is effective in the North West Region.

She equally congratulated them as they continue to understand and carry the President’s vision as far as growth and development in the region is concerned.

“They came to verify at the central level what the State is doing for the North West Region, respecting the mission the people who elected them entrusted in them. I listened to their preoccupations and we brainstormed on solutions,” Minister Ketcha Courtès revealed.

She added that: “I told them I am happy they brought up some issues such as housing and tarring of roads. They also proposed solutions with regards to security issues so that the C2D programmes we have launched in that part of the country amounting to over FCFA 40 billion are completed”.

Bamenda to host World Habitat Day 2025

The minister underscored that the sustainable development of the North West Region remains a major government concern especially now that the capital city Bamenda, has been selected to host the 39th edition of World Habitat Day, WHD, in October 2025.

According to the Minister, it is imperative that all development projects currently being carried out in the region be finalised.

Minister Ketcha Courtès further congratulated Nkambe for emerging on second position in the 2024 Clean City Contest in the country, during an event organised in Ebolowa on October 7, to mark the 38th edition of the World Habitat Day.

“This is good progress on Nkambe’s part and it signifies that they have maintained their performance. That can also be the reason why the jury chose Bamenda for the celebration of the World Habitat Day 2025,” the Minister stated.

She continued that: “The WHD is a special moment for the city hosting as it exposes the city to housing developers and actors. It is a special day where people come in even from abroad to discuss on the state of our cities, housing and others. Our cities are the legacy we pass on to the next generation hence we have a duty to take care of them”.

The minister concluded by calling on the City Mayor to rally stakeholders, as well as mobilise resources and locals through the Public Partnership with the Population, PPP to start preparing for the WHD 2025.

Enter MPs spokesperson Hon Njingum Musa

On his part, the leader of the delegation of MPs, Hon Njingum Musa from Ngoketunjia, appreciated and extended words of congratulations to the Minister for strictly standing by the vision of the President of the Republic for the development of the North West Region.

“We had a fruitful exchange and we also informed her on the current situation of the region, and seized the opportunity to edify and guide the Minister on how things can be handled. We brainstormed on ways we can execute abandoned projects and the new ones we brought up,” Hon Njingum revealed.

The MP regretted that most contractors take up projects, commence with execution and then abandon the project citing insecurity.

He said they cautioned the minister on the type of contractors that can be used for project execution, and extended their support on the different processes required to realise these projects in the North West Region.

According to Hon Njingum, the Bamenda gas plant project which is a giant project is yet to be put in place because equipment bought for the project cannot be transported to the site due to the situation of the roads.

He mentioned that the project once completed will be beneficial to the entire nation, not just the region.

“Our roads are very bad. We explained the situation of our road infrastructure to the Minister and she assured us she will look into it and not take it lightly. We are satisfied with the meeting,” Hon Njingum concluded.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3256 of Friday October 11, 2024