Atanga Nji l'enfant cheri of Limbe.

It was another big moment for Minister Atanga Nji, as he received a thunderous applause from the crowds that gathered at each stop he made within the city, while visiting flood and landslide sites and victims of the incident in hospitals or their homes.

The crowd that gathered could be seen cheering Minister Atanga Nji and excitedly chanting “Atango! Atango! Atango!”, a nickname by which he is affectionately called. 

Atanga Nji was in the seaside city last Thursday August 13, 2026, where he visited victims receiving treatment at the Limbe Regional Hospital, toured devastated neighbourhoods and personally supervised the distribution of relief assistance to more than 500 affected families.

The visit came after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides in parts of Limbe earlier this month. Homes and other infrastructure were damaged, while some families lost their relatives. 

The MINAT boss was dispatched to Limbe to convey the comfort and assistance of President Biya and The First Lady, Chantal Biya, to the affected population.

Takes presidential comfort to hospital

On arrival in Limbe, Minister Atanga Nji was received by the South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai; Fako Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, Engelbert Viang Mekala; Limbe City Mayor, Dr Paul Efome L.M. Ngale and other administrative, municipal, traditional and security officials of the Region. 

He first proceeded to the Limbe Regional Hospital, where hospital staff gave him a warm welcome, before he made his way to the wards to console patients still recovering from injuries, sustained in the disaster.

There, the minister met Meh James Duh, a resident of the Mbende neighbourhood, who lost three members of his family, including a pregnant daughter, when a landslide buried their home on the night of August 4 to 5, 2026. 

According to the MINAT boss conveyed the condolences of the Presidential Couple to the bereaved survivor and his family.

Moving from bed to bed, Atanga Nji greeted patients individually, asking each one warmly how they were faring. He assured them that he had come on behalf of the Head of State and The First Lady, specifically to see them. 

He told the victims that although he understood they were not yet fully well, they should remain strong, and wished them a swift recovery, so they could return to their families. 

Atanga Nji also informed them about food and non-food assistance sent by the Head of State and the payment of hospital bills. The minister also visited the hospital's maternity wing, where he extended the President Biya’s support to mothers and their newborns currently admitted there.

Visits affected neighbourhoods

From the hospital, the minister toured the worst-affected neighbourhoods, including Mbende and Clarks Quarters, where entire streets remained submerged and several roads cut off by the floods. 

He also inspected the damage caused by the floods near the Limbe Wildlife Centre, where flash floods had partially destroyed perimetre walls and submerged an adjoining bridge.

Standing before a partially collapsed house teetering above the ruins of the Duh family home, the minister addressed residents directly, cautioning them against remaining in areas still at risk, of further collapse.

“Nothing is worth your life. You have to leave this dangerous place because the risk of another disaster is high. Do not gain the world and lose your soul. Gaining the world means keeping a property at the risk of your life. We have come to sympathise with you and extend the President’s sympathy,” Atanga Nji told residents. 

Defies heavy rains, personally supervises aid distribution 

The Minister later moved to the Limbe City Council Hall at Down Beach, where more than 500 affected families had assembled to receive emergency assistance from the Presidential Couple. 

Despite the heavy rains, Atanga Nji personally supervised the handing over of the relief packages.

The assistance comprised financial support, food and non-food items. 

They included soap, vegetable oil, buckets, blankets, mattresses and sardines. Rice, donated by the Chinese government, was also included in the packages distributed to the victims.

Atanga Nji remained at the venue as the assistance was handed to beneficiaries, ensuring that the affected families received the relief sent to them. 

According to the MINAT boss, the assistance was intended to provide immediate support to families, whose homes and properties were affected by the floods and landslide.

Before the distribution, the minister chaired a working session with administrative and traditional authorities, municipal officials and security officials. He instructed them to intensify sensitization campaigns on the dangers of occupying high-risk zones. 

Atanga Nji also called for stronger disaster prevention measures and urged local authorities to encourage people to settle away from areas exposed to floods and landslides. 

He further asked administrative authorities to remain vigilant and intervene when new structures are being erected in dangerous locations.

During the meeting, Governor Okalia Bilai presented an assessment of the situation in Limbe. He cited the city’s topography, rapid population growth, proximity to the sea, some practices by residents and an outdated land-use plan among factors increasing its exposure to floods and landslides.

City Mayor pushes for permanent solution

The City Mayor of Limbe, Dr Paul Efome L.M. Ngale, used the occasion to seek government’s support for the resettlement of people living in risky areas. 

He said local authorities have identified Bota Land and Moliwe as areas for the possible resettlement of families affected by the landslide and floods. The City Mayor also requested financial assistance for the construction and expansion of drainage channels.

“The recent heavy rains have caused landslide in Mbende, threatening lives and damaging property. This requires the permanent evacuation of households. Our drainage system has become obsolete. We need a large drainage system like that of Yaounde,” Dr Ngale said. 

The City Mayor added that the Limbe City Council is identifying and marking affected structures for permanent evacuation. 

According to him, the city had applied to the administration for suitable land around Bota and Moliwe, to resettle affected families.

Atanga Nji, after listening to the concerns raised by local authorities, reiterated his call for stronger preventive measures and greater vigilance from administrative authorities. 

He also urged swift intervention from authorities, whenever new construction is undertaken in unsafe locations, to spare Limbe from further disaster.

Beneficiaries express gratitude

At the City Council Hall, the mood shifted from mourning to gratitude, as families lined up to receive their relief packages. 

Beneficiaries warmly welcomed the assistance sent by the Presidential Couple, thanking President Biya for remembering them in time of hardship. 

Several beneficiaries offered prayers to God to continue blessing the Presidential Couple and the Republic of Cameroon.

"We are truly grateful that the President has not forgotten us. These items will help us begin picking up the pieces of our lives," said a visibly moved beneficiary

Others, particularly residents whose houses have been marked for evacuation, said their immediate concern is securing the means to relocate to safer neighbourhoods.

Shime Rihanna, an inhabitant of Mbende, said families affected by the evacuation exercise are waiting for further assistance to enable them leave the risky neighbourhoods.

“Most houses in our community have been marked for evacuation. We are expecting financial support from the government to help us relocate and rent houses elsewhere in Limbe. Now that our houses have been marked for demolition, we are stranded. We do not even know what to do, especially as we have no money at hand,” Shime said.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3881 of Monday August 17, 2026