Bakassi: Nigerian Consul lauds harmonious cohesion between Nigerians, Cameroonians.

He was speaking to journalists after a two-day trip to the peninsula, to visit some of his compatriots living in the area.

The visit was an opportunity for the Consul General to install newly elected leaders of different Nigerian union groups in Kombo Etinde, Idabato and Bamusso SubDivisions, Ndian Division, into their new offices.

He also had exchanges with Nigerians, as well as local administrative, traditional and local elected leaders on the worries and concerns around social cohesion in the area.

His compatriots complained to the Consul General of the lack of basic social amenities like potable water, as well as high taxes levied on them by local authorities. They informed the Consul that security was not a concern for them on Cameroonian territory.

According to most of the denizens, the elite unit of the Cameroonian army, Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR, which has different camps in the area, provides them with adequate security.

Local authorities & Nigerian community present worries

The visit presented an opportunity for the local authorities and Nigerians in the peninsula to present their worries and seek solutions to them from their representative in Cameroon.

The Mayor of Idabato said the visit of the Consul General was a great opportunity to present the challenges they face in administering the area, with his compatriots who have been expecting the Consul General to come to Bakassi, especially in Idabatu municipality, to advise and educate Nigerians to be law-abiding.

Despite living harmoniously, one challenge they face is getting Nigerians, who are key economic actors, to support development in the area.

The Divisional Officer, DO, of Idabatu, Ewane Roland, expressed his wish that the visit of the Nigerian Consul General would spur his people to follow the rules and regulations governing their communities.

“This visit will serve as a booster, because they will get what we have been telling them, from their own brother. I think they will now understand, because you cannot live in a place without paying allegiance to that place, without paying taxes, you come, reap from the place, harvest and go without paying taxes. Everybody has the right to pay taxes, that is what the government needs to develop,” Ewane said.

On his part, the Mayor of Bamusso Municipality, Samuel Meme, expressed appreciation with the positive contributions in his municipality made by the Nigerian community.

In Kombo Etinde, the Mayor and the Divisional Officer accused Nigerians of tax evasion, occultism and other illegal activities.

These illegal activities, to these officials, were a threat to peace and social cohesion in the area. In this light, they invited the Consul General to educate his compatriots to desist from such activities.

High penalty for late payment of taxes

Addressing the Consul General and his team, the President of the Nigerian Union Bekumu, Bamusso Subdivision, Manga Joseph Wilson, complained of high penalties for late payment of taxes, and the need for government revenue collection to start in the month of March.

This, he said, is because his people always go back home in December for the Christmas season and only return in February.

Responding to the worries of his compatriots, H.E Bappah reminded them that payment of taxes was an obligation of every member of any community, as the tax money is used to develop the communities involved.

Consul General says trip was a success

Speaking to the press after his visit to Bakassi, H.E Bappah Lawal, said he was elated meeting his people and listening to their worries.

“It was really hectic in the first place, but it was very interesting and quite enlightening. The visit is quite fruitful and very successful, because, it has accorded us the opportunity to interact with some of our compatriots to see into their worries and concerns in everything,” he said.

“I am actually impressed particularly for our last stop of the visit which is Bekumu where we had a very excellent session from the Divisional Officer and the Lord Mayor on everything. So, we are highly grateful for the support and I wish to once again extend my profound gratitude to the Governor of the South West Region for providing the logistical support to ensure the successful visit to the Bakassi to meet our compatriots,” the Consul said.

He also noted that he was able to decipher a harmonious relationship between his compatriots and the local administration, population, forces of law and order and all other stakeholders.

“…there is a peaceful and harmonious relationship between them and their host communities, and some of the key issues that they have raised are some of those issues that can be duly addressed by the local authorities. So, there are no major issues of concern. From time to time, it is imperative on our own path to make sure we interact with both the Nigerian community as well as the host authorities in order to improve the harmonious co-existence between the communities,” he noted.

‘Embrace education’

In this light, he enjoined his people to embrace education, which he said was a tool for emancipation. To lead better lives in the future, he encouraged them to send their children to schools, provided by the Cameroonian government for all.

Addressing all newly installed Nigerian Unions leaders, H.E Bappah Lawal urged them to work to foster the sound relationship between their people, the local administration and the consulate. The new executive, he said, was the bridge between Nigerian and the local authorities as well as the link to the consulate in Buea.

“My expectation is that the bond of friendship and brotherhood between the Cameroonians and Nigerians will be strengthened. At least the peaceful co-existence, the cooperation, the understanding and the excellent working relations that exist between the host authorities and the Nigerian community will continue,” he said.