That the Population of Mbengwi Thanked Biya for the COVID-19 Gift?

That the Population of Mbengwi Thanked Biya for the COVID-19 Gift?

"The population of Mbengwi subdivision say a big thank you to H.E Paul Biya for the gift to combat COVID-19." This was the banner message as the Mbengwi municipal authorities and government soldiers paraded the street to the Senior Divisional Officers office with a motorcade on Thursday May 14 2020.

The Gift

Faced with the ongoing global response to tackle the novel COVID-19 pandemic, Cameroon's head of state, Paul Biya set aside over a billion francs CFA worth material assistance to help contain the propagation of the killer disease. The national distribution of the items has been ongoing in all regions, divisions and most sub divisions. May 14th was thus the turn of Mbengwi to receive her own share. 

It was at the esplanade of the S.D.O's office that the beneficiaries gathered. Prior to the donation, a couple of speeches marked part of the ceremony. Firstly, it was the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam that mounted the rostrum for an address in which he said "We say a big thank you to our president of the republic and tell him that we the people of Mbengwi are today very happy because of what he's done for us, he's considered us, he has us at heart to fight the disease. If things can leave all the way from Yaoundé and come to us here in Mbengwi, it means that he also considers us, he knows that the Meta people are existing." 

Banner

He further encouraged the population to appreciate the cheerful giver by putting the items into proper use. "It is usually said the patient looks for the doctor but now that the doctor has come to meet us to combat the disease, the ball is now in our own court to fight against it and ensure COVID-19 completely gets out of Mbengwi" said Ndangsa.

On display and as presented by the Mbengwi Divisional Officer, Sakwe Jarvis as content of the gift were hundreds of (tap) buckets, sanitisers, cartons of soap and face masks. The District Medical Officer of the Mbengwi District Hospital, Dr. Ewu David used the occasion to reiterate the need for proper hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing and other W.H.O prescribed preventive measures. 

Sakwe Jarvis Esapa, D.O of Mbengwi presenting the Gift

Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam

"We are still struggling to recover from corona just when another illness known as bovine anthrax has hit us. More than 600 cattle have died in Mbengwi because of the disease and any consumption of such infected beef poses a health risk for the consumer." Dr. Ewu made the warning after revealing that four cases of COVID-19 have been discovered in Mbengwi and referred to Bamenda in addition to which an outbreak of a disease that kills mostly cows and humans too has been announced. 

He prohibited the locals from eating beef during this period. However, at the Mbon market just like in the suburbs, nothing has changed. Beef is still being highly sold, bought and consumed in restaurants and in homes. Many are those who've not heard of anything as such.

Dr. Ewu David, D.M.O, Mbengwi District Hospital 

Fouda Etaba Nicaise is the Momo Senior Divisional Officer. He insisted that though it was the turn of Mbengwi,     all the five subdivisions in Momo will receive the same special presidential gift. Concerning the beneficiaries present, he revealed that they were a  representation of the entire municipality as many sectors have been targeted to benefit. According to him, this wasn't the first time the head of state has been with the people of Momo division to sustain and protect them. "After humanitarian gifts, today we have a special gift to fight against COVID-19" Fouda told the beneficiaries.

He ended by calling for a collective and inclusive approach to stop the spread of the disease, terrorism and school shutdown. In his own words,  "The main way  to say thanks to the head of state is to collectively fight against terrorism, for the education of our children and to implement the hygienic and distancing measures prescribed by the government."

Fouda Etaba Nicaise, Momo S.D.O

The items were donated to health units, palaces, churches, individuals and other institutions. The distribution exercise came weeks after the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) in partnership with the Fobang Foundation founded by H.R.H Prof. Wilfred Mbacham also shared anti COVID-19 kits to all the villages that make up the Meta clan.