Upcoming Election Into NW Regional House of Chiefs: Meta Candidate Brags

Upcoming Election Into NW Regional House of Chiefs: Meta Candidate Brags

As the race to the NW Regional House of Chiefs intensifies in fulfilment of some of the resolutions of the (controversial) Major National Dialogue that was held to put an end to the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, the town of Mbengwi, Momo Division has remained indifferent to the exercise. Little is made mention of the elections in social media group chats and interpersonal physical discussions. Underneath, aspirants are bracing up. 

Mbengwi Online succeeded to have a telephone interview on October 22 2020 with the candidate to represent the Meta people in the House of Chiefs. Based on the official list published by Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), he is HRH Chick Marcus Fominyam of Njinibi and we shall be referring to him as such in this report. Mbengwi Online is not liable to any intrigues surrounding his chieftaincy title.

"H.R.H" Chick Marcus of Njinibi Village, Meta Canadidate for the Upcoming NW Regional House of Chiefs

The first thing we sort to know was his plans and he said "The whole Meta fons and community have to be very proud and thank God a lot for having somebody like me going in for their well being and for the development of the place because first of all, I'm very strong, financially and in everything. I'm not that kind of fon that goes around begging money. No. I'm instead the fon that gives things to people. The Njinibi people in particular have to make a church service and thank God for having somebody like me as their fon because the type of development I'll bring in the village is that which nobody has ever brought. The Njinibi people too must know that it's God that chooses a fon, not them"

Having claimed to be an agent of development, one that gives and hardly asks, one that has much, we sort to know from him what he had been able to do before, in terms of concrete personal realisations on the ground for the betterment of his villagers and the Meta people so that more could be expected from him now that he's going into the House of Chiefs. Unfortunately, Fon Marcus Chick said he's been helping individuals but will soon start doing open development for communities.  "I'm not that type of politician  that says I'll do this. Just wait and see how things shall be going" he added. 

The aspirant also disclosed his other developmental plans but quickly shifted the blame for not realising an inch of them on the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Hear him "I had a very big plan to build a big storeyed building at the Njinibi junction, by the main road where the ground floor was to be a  boulangerie (bakery) and the upper floors designed as hotel rooms for lodging but for this Ambazonia problem that came and disturbed me."

More curious, Mbengwi Online also sort to know from the "fon" how his candidacy came about. Was he nominated/voted in any primaries by the Meta Fons' Union (MEFU) before being sent forth to the Regional House of Chiefs? "Hmm!!! Overcoming challengers, no. We just agreed. Everybody knows that at least I'm a capable person that can go there. There was no person that was challenging me but I know that behind, people are talking things. People must talk" was his response. 

Njinibi Fon's Palace

Does this therefore mean your candidacy wasn't endorsed by neither the Meta Fon's Union nor the people? Mbengwi Online pressed on and he responded in a seemingly uncomfortable tone that "Why? It has been done. How then is my name on the list now? What do you want them to say? They don't have anything to say. It's the regulations of the system. They just have to follow as things are going, prepare for elections  and go vote or if somebody wants to come in and replace me as the fon, there's no problem." On his relationship with the Meta Fon's Union, he said "I just want to develop Meta. I don't even need to be in their union. Those contesting that I shouldn't be in their union, it means nothing to me. My problem is just to develop Meta"

Concerning his priority projects after the upcoming December 6th 2020 elections, the traditional authority said he will ensure the road from Bamenda through Mbengwi to Acha is tarred and that he shall ensure a project for the reconstruction of Tad market is realised by FEICOM. Having been reminded that the said road had long been tarred, from Bamenda to Mbengwi and Kob to Acha, he responded that "They need to do something proper because the tar on it is passable but not proper. We need something that will be really nice from Bamenda right to Acha Hospital"

Talking at a time when schools are gradually resuming in Mbengwi but for communities having only government schools whose kids remain unfortunate since calls are still being made for government schools not to function, Njinibi village being one of such unfortunate communities, the "fon" said he's received several calls from the village requesting for the creation of a community school and so required his authorisation to use the community (MECUDA) hall to realise the initiative, a request he's granted after advising they come in agreement with the councillors. He however added that he's requested for the Head Teacher and all other teachers of Government Nursery and Primary School Njinibi to resume teaching. He promised to be paying salaries of the community school teachers.

"The fon of Njinibi is not looking for any money or anything from the House of Chiefs. Rather, he's going there for development. I'm a very big fon in Cameroon. So the Meta people just have to follow me and benefit. But if they (the people) have somebody who's more capable than me, then they can put me aside and send forth the person. It means nothing to me" he ended our phone interview.

ELECAM List of Validated Candidates

Mbengwi Online has no knowledge about when a catching and subsequent enthronement ceremony of a new fon for Njinibi was ever done since the previous one "travelled" in 2017. However we have noticed severally in many Meta online and offline groups that it seems to be a controversial subject with many preferring to keep sealed lips over it. For better clarity, we spoke on phone to H.R.H Fon Mbahbit of Mbemi village, a member of the Meta Fons' Union on the Njinibi chieftaincy issue.  

Speaking as an individual, not designated by the union to talk on the subject, he said; "He has administrative documents recognising him as a fon. There's a prefectural order to that, giving him royal respect. But the population seems not to be recognising him as such on the basis that he's not gone through the traditional coronation process. If he's already enjoying the rights and privileges accrued traditional authorities by the administration to the level where he's going into the Regional House of Chiefs, then we can't say otherwise. However, those directly concerned, the Njinibi people especially the king makers haven't complained publicly. It means they're satisfied. Ours (referring to MEFU) is that if the village gives us somebody as their fon, then we take him and integrate into our union. But since the departure of the last fon, no such presentation has been done. If he wasn't their choice, the Njinibi people should've signalled the administration and the Fon's Union with a petition. Since they, especially the royal family never did it and since silence means consent, for no reason will anybody criticise his candidature.

According to his profile that he revealed to Mbengwi Online, Chick Marcus Fominyam was born in 1964 to his late father who was the last fon of Njinibi before he succeeded him. Prince Chick Marcus studied in GTHS Bamenda, left for Italy where he studied Business Administration, came back to Cameroon to study political science in the University of Soa. He's member of the central committee in the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) and a contractor by profession. Though he's not executed any contract in Mbengwi, he said he was building the residence of the Fundong Senior Divisional Officer, a 200 million contract but unfortunately the Ambazonia crisis came and disrupted work.

Meta Fons Release the MECUDA Renaissance to Restore Order in the Clan

Meta Fons Release the MECUDA Renaissance to Restore Order in the Clan

The Meta clan in Mbengwi, Momo division had been plagued by multiple man made and natural problems even before the advent of the ongoing (deescalating) Anglophone Crisis resulting to a verbal warfare mostly on social media to the point where kinsmen were ready to go physical or to the courts if not of distance. The phone (WhatsApp) thus became the battle ground where nearly everyday, there was a "fight" 

These WhatsApp groups were flooded with thousands of unread messages each time one switched on his/her data just to realise it's all been about quarrels, attacks, defence, accusations etc. Even traditional authorities were given some sort of ultimatums to respond to queries by surfers who remained unknown behind their keyboards. MECUDA especially its leadership, the Meta Fon's Union (MEFU), politicians, elites, the administration just to name these few all  received their own fair share of curses and condemnations. 

The Commission Members

Having seen more than their eyes could, unable to bear the shock of gross disrespect, flippancy and unfounded accusations/pronouncements against them, the throne, dissatisfied seeing a once united and vibrant people tearing themselves apart due to differences over issues, the Meta Fons Union (MEFU) as seat that handles and resolves the most worrying problems of the clan and considering that the foundation of MECUDA that started as Kwem Cultural Dance Group remains in the palace where all its most difficult problems and challenges should be resolved, decided to hold a crisis meeting on  September 29 2020 that ended with 7 resolutions. Mbengwi Online got the resolutions as:

1. There should be an election to renew officials of the MECUDA Executive within 3 months of the publication of the MECUDA Renaissance report

2. The adhoc committee charged with revising the MECUDA Constitution should be encouraged to expedite the work. 

3. A MEFU adhoc committee shall be created to revise the MEFU Constitution 

4. The name MECUDA International has to be changed to give it a clear mandate on the nature of her activities

5. Those responsible for the past funds that were raised for the Mortuary Project, Equipment Pool, Meta Anti-Corona Challenge, Synod Clerk Induction, Fons Projects etc should render account

6. All fund raising activities except for life threatening initiatives and food matters are suspended for a period of 3 months pending the revision and adoption of the new constitution, redefining of new governance structures and election of a new leadership of MECUDA.

7. All people of Meta desiring to create new groups that fill a void have to make their intentions known to MECUDA

These resolutions, published in a 10-page document dubbed The MECUDA Renaissance Report which Mbengwi Online is in possession of a soft copy were taken on behalf of MEFU by a commission made up of HRH Mbabit II of Mbemi, HRH Fon P. Fonyam V of Zang Tembeng, HRH Dr. Walters Fomuki IX of Guneku, HRH Prof. Mbacham W. F. Tarkeh II of Funam and HRM Mbahmeta Fon Fominyen Ngya II of Nyen, President of MEFU

From the report, the above mentioned fons were designated to investigate the squabbles of Meta people on social media between MECUDA and MECUDA International. In  so doing, they talked to a representation of Meta people across the globe for proposed solutions to end the quarrel and on how to revamp MECUDA and development in Meta. Those reached were other fons, mafaws, the clergy, elites groups such as IFORTIBOH and Meyi Eborebod, the Executive of MECUDA, her legal minds and advisers, members of MECUDA International, village Presidents of CUDAs, Home Coordinators of MECUDA in Cameroon and MECUDA members in USA, China, Germany, France, South Africa, Canadaa nd the United Kingdom. 

"It was not possible to reach everyone but we got representations from all the groups to be able to assemble all shades of opinions" said the fons in their report. According to statistics, the survey lasted for 1 month 15 days and in total, 121 persons were contacted with a response rate of 73% from which various opinions were deduced, a few here forth extracted:

- Presently, MECUDA both at home and abroad is suffering from its past with corruption, non transparency, arrogance, personal conflicts causing many to descent the association, now looked upon as a thing of some, not all especially a growing feeling that it's a thing for those out of Meta than it is for those home.

- MECUDA leadership should not actively participate in partisan events and as such, no one should/can take MECUDA and place under a party.

- There is one and only one MECUDA implying any other Meta children wishing to enhance what MECUDA does must do so as a subsidiary authorized or with the blessings of MECUDA from the motherland. 

- MECUDA International should be praised for innovation, kindness and loyalty to assist fellow Meta people but it is utterly wrong to use an appellation which sounds and looks like an affiliate of MECUDA and not be answerable to it. 

Having gotten these and many more varied opinions, the fons took note of proposed recommendations by those interviewed to chart the way forward. They included among many others 

- All politicians and pro-regime leaning administrators in the Meta clan including the SDO, DO and Mayor should not be allowed to address the public whenever there's a purely MECUDA public event

- MECUDA should seat with MEFU to give the Meta people a paramount fon

- MECUDA is the legitimate representative organ of all the Meta people in Cameroon and the Diaspora and as such, no other organization can claim to speak or act on behalf of the Meta people. 

Mbengwi Online is closely following developments on the ground, on social media, in and out of Meta in relation to the release of the MECUDA Renaissance report. At press time, many of the Meta fons have left the various WhatsApp groups to which they were members especially where they felt constantly being attacked, accused, humiliated and disrespected. Other opinion holders have however seen the move negatively. To such, times are changing and the fons must catch up with the changing times. These ones say the time has passed when fons were unquestionable or considered demi gods. Thus, since the people enthroned them, they owe such people the duty to respond to their demands

MECUDA UK Assists Orphanage Displaced from Kai to Bafoussam

MECUDA UK Assists Orphanage Displaced from Kai to Bafoussam 

A muddy and slippery earth road road paved with potholes leads to a bamboo fence having a tiny gate made of old porous zincs. Inside the fence is an uncompleted storeyed building that leaks profusely when it pours. At one end is an open air kitchen and at another a toilet/bathroom. The structure depicts hardship but interestingly its occupants are damn happy. 

Items Donated: A fridge, TV, mattresses and chairs

We are at Kai Orphanage Home, Carrefour Ekoule in Bafoussam, West region of Cameroon. Neither is this their permanent site nor did they willfully find themselves here. Madam  Geyeh Sharon Nchamba is the house matron. She recounted their ordeal to Mbengwi Online that "What pushed us to come out was because things became really rough. The children were afraid each time they heard gunshots or got information that the military or "the boys" are passing around"

Founded in 1969 in the SW region and later transferred to Kai village, Meta clan, Mbengwi central subdivision, NW region of Cameroon, the orphanage, a product of Global Frontier Mission, an international religious body was started by Rev. Musoro and Pa Johnson Tifuangob. It has graduated over 500 children since then and today, it is home for 10 children. 

The Kids

In continuation of narrating circumstances leading to their displacement, the children's mother, Madam  Geyeh Sharon Nchamba said when the insecurity reached an unbearable level, she was forced to relocate with the children last year 2019. "At one time we had to go and sleep in the bush for a night" she explained.

Leaving their comfort zone for a new location, Bafoussam, in a completely different environment hasn't been a bed of roses. "It's not easy here at all. We are surviving by the grace of God. While in the village (Kai) we had free firewood, food, water but here we buy everything" Madam Sharon told Mbengwi Online. She went on to say their major challenge for now is finance.

Mr. Andwi Jacob, Kai Fon's Representative

Mr. Tata Malaika Angye, MECUDA Bafoussam President

The rented structure leaks almost at every angle. They pay 50.000F per month for rents. Fortunately all the kids are going to school under the sponsorship of Global Frontier Mission and some persons of goodwill. But how comfortable are they in their new found land, a question I posed to the matron. Hear her; "I am not so comfortable in Bafoussam for one thing that it's not easy to meet up with the task but seeing the need for the children's education, I will bear with them as they're going to school but as soon as things get normal back home, we will go back" She ended with an appeal to people of goodwill to come to their aide.

Click here to watch video report https://youtu.be/HdqfdypoJH0

It was for this reason that members of the Meta Cultural and Development Association (MECUDA) in the United Kingdom recently reached out to the orphanage with a donation of 4 mattresses, 10 plastic chairs, a refrigerator, a flat screen TV and 5 months rents. 690.000Frs was the amount MECUDA UK sent home for the realisation of the project, executed on Sunday September 11 2020.

Cross Section of Attendees 

College of Pastors Praying for the Gifts

Dr. Sabi Humphrey is the national president of MECUDA UK. Speaking to Mbengwi Online, he said "We just heard about the situation of the orphanage after executing another similar project and decided to give a helping hand. We will look at other means to help but for now, this is the little we could offer" Preceding the event was a visit by Fon Noel Suzang Chitah IV of Mejung, H.R.H Fotang VI JN of Mmuock Leteh, H.R.H Tekouh Simon of Mbatu and H.R.H Akam Agwetang III of Kai who all paid a visit to the orphanage to also make their own little donation.

While extending a vote of thanks to the donors, Madam Geyeh Sharon said "I wish to on behalf of the children appreciate all of you who've taken out of your pockets something to make this presentation a success" Other thank you messages came from Mr. Andwi Jacob, Kai fon's representative, Mr Tata Malaika Angye, MECUDA Bafoussam president and a college of pastors present. MECUDA UK was represented at the handing over ceremony by Fongoh P. Ayeh, this reporter. 

Madam Geyeh Sharon Nchamba, Matron

Porridge Cocoyams (Nang-tari), the Meta Traditional Meal

It should be recalled that in June 2020, MECUDA UK combined efforts with her sister branches of France, Belgium and Germany to make a giant donation of beds, mattresses, foodstuffs etc worth over 2 million francs to House of Hope Orphanage, Mbengwi. They have promised to continue reaching out to suffering brothers and sisters back home bearing the brunt of the ongoing Anglophone crisis

NW Journalists Hold Peace Talks in Bafoussam

NW Journalists Hold Peace Talks in Bafoussam

A three day workshop that brought together some 25 journalists from Bamenda to talk peace has wrapped off in Bafoussam, West region of Cameroon. Organised by #DefyHateNow, the capacity building meeting dubbed Media4Peace that was held between the 8th - 10th of October 2020 created an enabling environment for participants to share their views and gain more knowledge on how the media can be catalyzed for peace and justice in Cameroon.

Attendees Being Schooled

Speaking at the start of the conference, Ngala Desmond, Country Manager of #DefyHateNow Cameroon cautioned attendees to pay keen attention to every lecture,  working group and facilitated discussions because afterwards, there'll be a mentorship program for follow up to make sure skills gained are put into practice.

For three days, the media men and women were intellectually refreshened on conflict sensitive reporting and peace journalism by Eugene Nforngwa, a media and development specialist cum founder/promoter of Africa Knowledge and Policy Centre and Abong Bebey Blaise, a diplomat and international trade law/policy analyst doubling as founder of Audible International.

Abong Bebey Blaise (L) & Eugene Nforngwa (R), Workshop Facilitators

Nji Nelson Chefor, one of the participants said he's going back edified in journalistic principles after the training. Hear him, "I am going back home with a new way of looking at some journalistic concepts and how to use them daily. I now have a different perception about objectivity, fair balance, truth and accuracy." Almost same view shared by Wifah Jenny Hans, another participant who said "Being part of this three days training has seriously shifted my understanding of practicing journalism as I now see myself more as a participant to a good society"

Previously, #DefyHateNow had organised similar trainings on same subject matters in Yaounde, Douala and Buea with the goal to make journalists have a better understanding of peace journalism in times of conflict, a better understanding of diversity conflicts and the techniques on reporting in times of conflict, a better understanding of the present socio-economic and political context of Cameroon in general and the two Anglophone regions in particular plus a proper apprehension of the techniques to investigate, collect data and provide reliable information in times of conflict.Amongst the various lessons dished out by the resource persons were that disinformation is a legitimate military tactic and that the most cruel forms of violence are actually suffered in silence. Attendees also learnt that there are always many sides to a story, not just two. More so, that the media thrives on the sufferings of people and that the least trustworthy source is often an official source. As such things said by official sources should be taken with plenty of salt, not just a pinch. 

Ngala Desmond, DefyHateNow Cameroon Country Manager

Initiated in early 2014 by r0g_agency for open culture and critical transformation with support from the German Federal Foreign Office, #DefyHateNow initiative works on providing community-based and data-driven solutions to the problem of hate speech, disinformation and misinformation.

#DefyHateNow Cameroon exists to strengthen the voices and support the actions of primarily youth, community and media oriented civil society organizations to counter social media based hate speech, conflict rhetoric and directed online incitement to violence in response to Cameroon’s ‘Anglophone Crisis’.

Workshop Backdrop

The project provides capacity building and media literacy trainings to enable community based organizations and citizens, including people displaced by conflict, to become positive influencers with counter-actions, fact-checking and early response monitoring skills, peacebuilding, as well as education and culture oriented activities in a rapidly evolving social media landscape, rather than leaving that space open to agents of conflict.

Back to School 2020: Over 300 Teachers Enter Mbengwi

 Back to School 2020: Over 300 Teachers Enter Mbengwi

When insecurity became rampant resulting to kidnappings, threats and torture, most of these government teachers took to their heels out of Mbengwi for safety and other reasons in far off places like Bamenda, Bafoussam, Douala, Yaounde. For over three years now, they've been like an endangered specie struggling to survive. As at moment, the security situation of Mbengwi is neither as bad as before nor as many think.

With the coming of this new 2020/2021 academic year, these teachers were compelled to must answer present in Mbengwi or face sanctions. And so they rushed in from where they'd been, to assume duty. They were over 300 in number that rallied  on the campus of Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Mbengwi on Tuesday October 6th 2020 for modalities on school resumption.

Hundreds of Government School Teachers Meeting on Campus of GBHS Mbengwi to strategize on School Resumption

Mondays have for over 3 years now been selected for the respect of ghost town operations imposed by those the government calls terrorists/secessionists. It is for this reason that while schools officially resumed nationwide on Monday the 5th, those in Mbengwi were expected to resume on Tuesday October 6th. Mbengwi Online toured some schools to ascertain resumption and or preparedness.

At Full Gospel Bilingual Nursery and Primary School, Back Mbon, we met some kids in assorted wears playing on campus. Pastor Toh Godlove is the school administrator. He told us "We are set for the academic year irrespective of the challenges. We believe God will see us through as he's always done. The environment has been cleared, benches and classrooms cleaned, the teachers are ready. We are calling on the parents who are still skeptical to make that decision now because for now, Mbengwi doesn't have a problem that should hinder schooling. Instead, the crisis here seem to be subsiding as God has been helping us."

School Children Playing Happily on the Campus of Full Gospel Bilingual Nursery and Primary school Mbengwi

At Palmers Bilingual Nursery and Primary School near the Mbengwi Council, didactic school materials were distributed to pupils today. Other schools mostly mission and lay private primary schools started classes today. Some already have an enrollment of over 30 in one class. For security reasons, some denied us access saying they've been threatened for announcing in church that they're doing admission, reason why they don't want the media to mention anything about them. 

Calling on all parents, pupils and students to jump on the back to school wagon, Pastor Toh Godlove said "This isn't time to be running again out of Mbengwi. Let us come back and build our institutions, our communities and let life return to Mbengwi. The separatist leaders have said where there's security, schools can go. I want to believe that there's security in Mbengwi and let the schools go. So, those of you who are on the way going out of Mbengwi or out of the region, I call on you to come back let's put our heads together and see how we can make the schools back here go smoothly."

Classroom Benches Awaiting Students in GBHS Mbengwi

The adminstration of Mbengwi accompanied by the municipal authorities and forces of law and order today toured several schools within Mbengwi central town for a temperature reading of resumption of classes. On the campus of GBHS Mbengwi, they were taken to some classes where the teaching and learning process had started already. They also had time to address the hundreds of teachers. 

Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam encouraged them to brave fear and regain their classrooms and also send their own children to school. To set the example, the mayor said he's brought back his children from Bafoussam to Mbengwi and all were in school today. He also assured them that the the council is at their disposal to make use of in case they need to clear their school yard or require teaching materials. 

The Administration, MP & Mayor Touring Some Schools in Mbengwi

The Member of Parliament for Momo East, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia on her part took a commitment with the teachers that Momo Division especially Mbengwi won't be last again in school enrollment this year when statistics shall be published. She reiterated the promise she made months ago to register the first five students and pupils in all the schools in her constituency and that to set the pace, the payment was already being effected in the course of the tour. 

Ending the speeches session, Fouda Etaba Nicaise, Senior Divisional Officer, Momo insisted that the teachers must regain their classrooms immediately considering that it's their availability that'll attract the students to school. "Your day passed yesterday and you never celebrated. It's not too late to celebrate and this you should do by teaching" he told the cheering teachers. 

Operating withing the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for preventive measures like face mask wearing, hand washing and physical distancing were hammered hard on the teachers to ensure their respected. They were told the medical team of the district hospital shall be visiting the schools for COVID-19 screening. 

Medical Team from the Mbengwi District Hospital Combatting COVID-19 in Schools

Unconfirmed statistics talk of over 200 pupils and students present on day 1 of school resumption in Mbengwi today. We can't also confirm rumours that schools in unsafe areas mostly the suburbs will be temporarily transferred to Mbengwi central town so that teaching and learning can go on. We are still monitoring events as they unfold on the ground and shall be reporting as they develop.

World Habitat Day 2020: What Development for Mbengwi?

World Habitat Day 2020: What Development for Mbengwi?

Designated by the UN in 1995 to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter - SDG11, World Habitat Day is commemorated annually every first Monday of October. This year's edition that coincided with World Teacher's Day was marked under the theme Housing For All; A Better Urban Future.

Building Hosting MINDHU Momo

In Mbengwi, no commemorative activities were carried out. However, the Momo Divisional Delegate of Housing and Urban Development (MINHDU), Anyang Gordon spoke to Mbengwi Online at length on phone. "On such a day, what we usually do is to sensitise the public and also reflect on how to improve on the urbanisation and beautification of our towns. For example, the ongoing road project Checkpoint - Mbon - Africa Petroleum and also Checkpoint - G.R.A are up shoots of such reflections we had on such a day two years ago" the delegate told Mbengwi Online.

Since August 2020, intensive work has been ongoing on the stretch of road Checkpoint to Mbon Park Roundabout to Africa Petroleum Depot, Mile 18 Mbengwi. To the delegate, the project would've been realised since last year but because of the ongoing (Anglophone) crisis, the contractor couldn't bring in his equipments. He insisted that the road isn't earmarked for tarring but rather, it shall be rehabilitated with pavement blocks.

Upon Completion, the Double Lane Stretch of Road Checkpoint to Mbon Junction is Expected to Look Like This

"We (at the delegation) designed it as such for varied reasons; to reduce speed, ease movement and boost the image (aesthetics) of the town because the Mbon area is the heart of commercial activities in the municipality and at the same time, the mirror of the subdivision." explained Anyang Gordon to Mbengwi Online. He went on to explain that according to the design, Checkpoint to Mbon Park Entrance (Lewisco junction) will be a double lane while from the said junction to Africa Petroleum Depot will be one broad way.

Unfortunately, the timing of the project realisation seems to be problematic because almost everyday, its been raining heavily in Mbengwi, washing the cement and sand away, thus  hampering smooth execution as workers keep repeating work that had been done. Also, there's no signboard planted anywhere informing the beneficiary population on the contract specifications like control engineer, duration, contractor, funder etc. 

Ongoing Rehabilitation Works on the Stretch of Road Africa Petroleum - Mbon Junction

To the delegate, for security reasons, the contractor avoided this aspect. However, the law gives room for all this information to be deposited at the office of the Senior Divisional Officer by the contractor. Anyang Gordon also discarded mouth to ear petit talks that he's the contractor. "I can't be referee and player at the same time. If I dare, the government will pin me down" he said and went further to explain that MINHDU's role is to control the population's interest during the execution phase such as ensuring all punctured or disjointed water pipes and electric cables are reconnected.

The credit card for the project had long returned to the central treasury in Yaoundé. The contractor is thus doing all his possible best from his pocket hoping that at the end, a close follow up will be done to retrieve the contract budget. In terms of deadline for realisation and final handing over, the delegate couldn't specify.  That not withstanding, he hammered hard that the objective of the delegation is to ensure any Mbengwi person that stays out for long should never return home and meet the place as he/she left it but rather notice remarkable changes. 

This is How the Road Was Like Before

Sometimes back in 2019, close to a hundred youths in Mbengwi were trained on pavement blocks fabrication at the council. There was hope that during such road projects, some of these youths will be recruited to produce and mount the blocks on the municipal roads earmarked for such rehabilitation. Unfortunately, non of these trained youths has ever been seen again anywhere practicing what they learnt. Non has been recruited in the current project. Quizzed on this, delegate Anyang Gordon said these are two independent projects coming from two different directions though both were studied by their ministry. 

At press time, the surroundings of the Momo Divisional Delegation of Housing and Urban Development are bushy meanwhile a communiqué sent to Rainbow Radio in Mbengwi by the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo, Fouda Etaba Nicaise calls on the delegate and about 10 others to resume duty or face disciplinary sanctions for absenteeism from office. The MINDHU delegate, reacting to this said he's been working tirelessly despite not being in the office. 

Anyang Gordon, Momo's Divisional Delegate of MINDHU

Burnt Office Equipment at the Delegation Early this Year 2020

Early this year, there was an attempted burning down of the structure hosting the delegation by unknown individuals suspected to be separatist fighters and since then, the doors of the delegation had remain closed. Some office equipment like computers, a photocopier, printer and others had been burnt before forces of law and order quickly arrived to put out the flames.