Implementing Presidential directives: Proactive Atanga Nji does the unpredictable again!.

Atanga Nji, who is known for his pragmatic approach, personally drove to and from through the 277km Garoua-Ngaoundere road, which has become a major concern to the population. He did the trip on the National Road No.1 May 9.

The MINAT boss made the journey on the driver’s seat in seven hours, twelve minutes. Arriving Garoua, the regional capital of the North Region, from Ngaoundere in the Adamawa Region, a resilient Atanga Nji told reporters that he embarked on the journey to get firsthand information on the State of the road.

Unlike the usual report-writing procedure, Atanga Nji said his decision is part of a package to give the Head of State a real account of the situation of the road.

Describing Paul Biya as a leader who keeps to his promises, he assured the people of the North Region that works will soon start on the road as soon as possible. 

Atanga Nji promised to render a graphic account on what he lived driving through the road, to President Biya.

Almost five months after the Head of State talked about the road in his December 31, 2024, address to the nation, Atanga Nji said he understands concerns from the base, given that nothing has changed. 

He reiterated that when President Biya talks, it is an executive order that must be acted on without delay.

Evaluates socioeconomic, political situation of Adawama

Still within his charged programme, Atanga Nji on Saturday, May 10, held a meeting with all stakeholders of the Adamawa Region. This was at the Adamawa Governor’s Office. 

He told participants at the meeting that Biya assigned him to do a review of the Region, given the peculiarity of its population. Local authorities, he said, must redouble efforts in ensuring development projects to improve the lives of the population are executed.

From security to social, political and economic situation of the Region, Atanga Nji tasked administrative and security officers to address issues of criminality, drugs and alcohol consumption. 

He also underscored the need for collaboration between the population and security forces to keep insecurity at bay. Information sharing between the administration and various security services, he said, must be kept alive in the interest of the Region.

The City Mayor of Ngaoundere, he said, must work with municipal authorities to regulate the commercial motorcycle sector oftentimes linked to assault on denizens.

He also thanked the administrative and security officials for exploits in tackling kidnapping and highway robbery.

Given that 2025 is an election year, he restated the need to monitor the social environment. 

Political actors in particular, Atanga Nji said, must exercise restraint in their outings, shun hate speech, xenophobia and other pronouncements that stigmatised people.

Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, and associations that may be having a hidden agenda to finance certain political parties, he declared, will be brought to book. 

He assured that government has put in place the required resources to ensure that the presidential poll of this year is organised without any hitches.

In this light, he assured that the ministry is ready to accompany the elections management body, Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, in the process. 

He said the role of the Ministry of Territorial Administration on behalf of government will be to provide ELECAM with security and ensure polling materials are delivered countrywide.

The member of government sounded confident that the entire exercise will not face any hurdle. He sent a grim message to those whom he said could be planning chaos that they will face the heavy arm of the law.

Presidential couple’s succors flood, wind mishap victims

Besides reviewing the State of the North Region, Minister Atanga Nji, still on Saturday, delivered humanitarian support from the Head of State and First Lady, Chantal Biya, to the population. 

The consignment was handed to families affected when a flood and wind misheard hit certain localities of the Mbere Division on March 31 and April 17, 2025.

Authorities revealed at the ceremony that the incidents left at least 500 families without shelter in three subdivisions. 

Officials talked of 80 families left homeless in Ngaoui; Meiganga 380 and 20 in Djohong Subdivisions. Several others, administrative authorities noted, were injured.

Biya’s envoy, Minister Atanga Nji, handed them items such as; mattresses, blankets, bathing soap, vegetable oil among others.

Inspects readiness of Garoua airport for Hajj travels

Before descending to Adamawa Region for extensive engagement with stakeholders, Minister Atanga Nji on May 8, evaluated the readiness of the Garoua International Airport for Hajj travels. He evaluated works on the runway of the airport and other aspects of the facility.

President Biya, he said, had long disbursed money for works to put the airport to standard before pilgrims start departing for Saudi Arabia this month. 

As he arrived the airport, the Lamido of Garoua, Imam of Songbari alongside other Muslim faithful used the occasion to pray for the Head of State and peace in Cameroon.

The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Massina Ngale Bibehe, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, accompanied Atanga Nji during his working visit to the airport. To note that Atanga Nji is also President of the National Hajj Commission.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3446 of Monday May 12, 2025