Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon.
Bernard Okalia Bilai, Southwest Regional Governor is not happy with the rate of execution of some of the work being done in the build up to the celebrations marking 50 years of the Reunification of Cameroon in Buea.
At an evaluation and follow up committee meeting of the local organising committee, chaired by the Governor, Wednesday, May 29 2013 at the conference hall of the Southwest Regional Delegation of Public Service, Okalia Bilai expressed disgust in the manner in which, the road construction companies for Buea municipality; Arab Contractors and Chariot Construction, respectively, are handling the road construction works from Mile 17 to Police Round-about, the Governor’s office stretch and the roads leading to the Presidential Palaces in Buea.
Southwest Governor and top regional officials at local organising committee for reunification celebrations.
“The concerned should complete their work before June 15 2013 and avoid problems with me (the Governor) and the government of Cameroon. This is not the time for speeches, complaints, excuses, comments and discussions. Nobody should talk about the absence of money. The same way you got your contracts from the government of Cameroon, same way you will get your money and you know how to get it,” the Governor said.
According to Okalia Bilai, a good preparation has to be made for an event whose preparation has been ongoing for close to two years. “There are some aspects which are not going on well. Though the main infrastructures; the Presidential Stand, the hotels and some others are on the right track, but we must look forward to a great celebration. We are insisting that all projects earmarked for these celebrations must be taken into consideration. The roads are passable but the works are yet to be completed,” he mentioned.
Okalia Bilai promised hard times to officials of public services who are yet to paint their premises as ordered. “I will use my prerogatives to block the credits of those Regional Delegates and other public officers who have not painted their premises. It’s a disgrace to their ministry. Some of these delegates live in mansions, yet where they work and make the money is horrible. I will deal with them locally,” he said.
Southwest Governor, makes a plea for the press in the region to be involved in the celebrations of the reunification of Cameroon in Buea
Following the May 6 2013 visit of Martin Belinga Eboutou, Minister and Director of Cabinet, Presidency of the Republic, to Buea, the Governor reminded the committee members of what the former said, reiterating that all must be ready in Buea before June 15 2013. “The Reunification Celebrations are not the preserve of Buea. Yaoundé is very involved. Those who are not ready is their business. I will not answer for anybody when the time comes. There has been a lot of laxity within the members of the local organising committee. This may be our last meeting and it is our collective responsibility to follow the execution of the projects on the field,” he said.
The Governor revealed, that there will be a meeting on June 8 2013 between the members of the Local Organising Committee and those of the Southwest Support Committee for the Reunification of Cameroon. “Thereafter, our job is done with and the National Organising Committee takes over,” he noted.
Reports From Committee Members
The Southwest Delegate of Urban Affairs said Arab Contractors are 50 percent physical execution and Chariot Construction are 46.5 percent physical execution of the twelve road projects, ten parking lots and the road leading to the Buea Presidential Palaces made available to them. The Regional boss of Urban Affairs expressed worry that the roads in the Federal Quarter neighbourhood in Buea have not being effectively done because occupants have built and extended to the road side.
Stakeholders at the local organising committee meeting in Buea
The Southwest Regional Delegate of Public Works indicated that the main job on the Mile 4 – Sasse road is finished while rehabilitation along the Malingo stretch of road will be completed soonest. He mentioned that the Muyuka – Mpondo – Tiko – Douala road is at 76 percent execution but will add that the suppliers have stopped coming to deliver the necessary materials because they have not being paid.
The Regional Delegate of Arts & Culture said the contract for the construction of an Amphitheatre has just being awarded and the contractor will begin work soonest while that of the Reunification Monument is still to be signed, an information which kept the Governor unhappy. “Is the contractor for the monument not a Cameroonian? What is the problem with him?” thundered Okalia Bilai.
From the Delegates of Public Health, Tourism & Leisure respectively, the representative from the National Oil Refining Company, SONARA, the Mayor of Tiko municipality, their reports were positive, indicating that they are on course with their various assignments and looking forward to the D-Day.
On the communication around the Reunification celebrations in Buea, Okalia Bilai expressed worry that much is not being done. He chided the Southwest Regional Delegation of Communication for not mobilising the public enough on what is happening. “We hear more about the Reunification celebrations in Yaoundé and Douala and nothing in Buea, where it is the heart of the event. We’re making a plea to all the journalists in the Region to get involved and make the necessary noise around this great event coming up,” he said.
The SDOs of the Divisions; Fako, Manyu, Ndian, Kupe-Muanengouba, Lebialem and Meme talked on the sensitisation campaigns that are ongoing, some difficulties in road networks – some not passing, identification of various traditional dance groups to be part of the celebrations in Buea, transportation facilities for the groups and the absence of CRTV signals in some Divisions like Kupe-Muanengouba.
However, the Governor said the Reunification celebrations are above the delegates and the stakeholders, hence, those involved should do what they are supposed to do.
