Cameroon-SW Governor Reinforces Anti-COVID-19 Campaign in Buea

Southwest Governor Bernard Okalai Bilai distributing face masks

 By Sheron Tita

The governor of the Southwest(SW) region, Bernard Okalia Bilai ,on March 17, 2021, embarked on a one-day sensitization campaign within the Buea municipality, urging the strict application of anti-covid-19 measures adopted by Cameroon government, amid reports that cases of the  pandemic  are on the rise again.

The governor was accompanied by the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange and regional delegates of the region.

The sensitization exercise, which started at the Mile 17 motor park in Buea, ended at the Taxation office.

The governor made four strategic stops- at Mile 17 Motor park, Lycee  Bilingue,Molyko, OIC market and Clerks quarters-and at each stop distributed face masks to  residents.

Emphasizing on the need for  face mask , Governor Bilai  urged   everyone to henceforth  wear  face mask  before visiting  public places.

He regretted that inhabitants of the Buea Municipality were living as though there was no corona virus.

At the OIC market and Buea Motor Park, the governor and his team were taken aback   that people who had the face masks only started putting them on when they saw the sensitizers.

He advised taxi drivers to make wearing of face masks a precondition for passengers to board their taxis

 In an interview with reporters Governor Bilai noted, “To wear the mask is not to please the authorities; but it is to protect their own health and by doing so they protect the other people”.  

Buea residents were advised not only to wear face masks but to tell other people to do same.

 “If I am wearing a mask and you are not wearing you become a danger to me; so let's wear the mask particularly when we are in the public as the Covid-19 for this year is more dangerous than that of last year,” the governor cautioned.

For his part, the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange told reporters that, his council will soon intensify the campaign in order to make people know that the danger is real. He said he will make provision for wash-hand points in public area with detergents and will be putting Covid19 sensitization banners in the days ahead in order to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Warned the mayor: “Vehicles - taxis and private cars that are found on the road with people without face masks are going to impounded.   The first fine will be payment of 50,000 FRS for impoundment and as each day passes an additional 3000 FRS.”

 Many residents said that, for the governor to lead the sensitization campaign    was indicative of the seriousness of the pandemic.

At Clerks Quarters, residents were shocked when a mentally sick girl joined the mayor in urging   vendors at Clerks Quarters to always put on their masks for their safety.