BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM
A project considered as one that would leapfrog the socio economic status of the affected in the Anglophone crisis. Paul Tasong, the national coordinator tasked with reconstruction and development of the Northwest and Southwest regions held a meeting with stakeholders in Bamenda. He outlined the beneficiaries and the extent of the entire plan for the reconstruction and development of the regions.
In the presence of religious leaders, administrative heads, traditional rulers, politicians and civil soceity activists, Mr Tasong noted three essential elements of the plan: promotion of social cohesion, rebuild basic social infrastructure and revitalisation of the economy.
He stated that the aim and purpose of the plan is for improved and sustainable standard of living, reversing the situation of hardship and putting an end to crisis vulnerability among others. This he stressed would be realised in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of schools, roads, water, electricity, houses and other structures lost in the course of the crisis.
The national coordinator refuted claims of people who opine that reconstruction cannot be done when peace has not fully returned.
He advanced that reconstruction is a pathway to peace, people cannot keep living as refugees and IDPs and war cannot continue for eternity.
He stated that the rebuilding would begin from the more stable areas to the less stable ones, calling on all and sundry to participate in the rebuilding process.
He called on youths especially those who have turned their back against the state to embrace the peace path and be engaged in the rebuilding plan.
The awareness raising campaign that began June 22 would run till the 26. During the
period, the reconstruction and development boss shall have separate meetings with administrative heads. He shall also grant private audiences to traditional and religious leaders.
The meetings are expected to take the regions into development and reconstruction works. According to Mr Tasong, Village cultural and development groups are the main arm to be involved in the rebuilding process.
Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute appointed Paul Tasong and Njong Donatus as Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator respectively to spearhead the reconstruction and development of the Northwest and Southwest Regions hitherto destabilized by the now four years old Anglophone crisis. The appointment on April 3, 2020 was followed by their installation on April 15.
The Biya government postulate that, the Plan to reconstruct and develope the crisis stricken regions is a step taken in resolving the Anglophone crisis. It is one of the fruits of the Special Status, born from the Major National Dialogue of Cameroon.