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| Mayor of Buea ,David Mafani Namange, opening town hall meeting |
By Christopher Ambe
The Mayor of Buea, Barrister David Mafani Namange and the council stakeholders, July 28, discussed how to better enhance the socio-economic development of the Town of Legendary Hospitality,
The assembly, which took place at the Buea Council office, dubbed Town Hall Meeting, brought together a cross section of the public including administrative and traditional authorities, civil society actors, development experts, and other stakeholders.
The mayor’s approach to tackle development problems by involving the views of stakeholders other than Councilors and Council staff was generally launded.
The meeting attendees were also presented with a mid-term report of council activities and challenges, as well as the Mayor’r vision for second half of his five-year mandate.
Opening the meeting, Mayor Mafani Namange said the Town Hall meeting was to serve as a platform for development consultations between the council and stakeholders, so to allow them focus on people-centered and priority projects- and to chart the way forward for the council.
He noted that the consultations were taking place within the context of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30) launched President Paul Biya, through which Cameroon government relies on the private sector, civil society and the support of economic ,technical and financial partners ,towards the country's emergence by 2035.
Mwafise Ndumbe John, Communication Officer of Buea Council, briefed the participants on the achievements of the council under the leadership of Mayor Namange since he was elected in 2020.
It merged that some of his major achievements are :the settlement of inherited taxation debts to the tune of 1.1 billion CFAF; payment of 99 million salary arrears of 2019, payment of 47 million debt with HYSACAM of 2020; the rehabilitation of classrooms at GS Ndongo, building of an Agric Post in Bova II, construction of two classrooms at GBPS Bonduma, supply of equipment for inclusive education to primary schools within the municipality, construction of Women Empowerment Training Center Buea Town, renovation of Bokwaongo Health Centre, replacement of the roof of the New Council Building , provision of culverts within the municipality and rehabilitation of the Buea Town and Muea Slaughter houses.
Roads; the rehabilitation works from YADIKWA junction to Bulu Blind Centre and on the main Chief Street to Catholic Church Bomaka, grading and dumping of seawall Mile 18 junction through Mt Carmel Street Muea, concreting from Ekundi street to Afosi junction Buea Town and the construction from Slaughter house to PCC lower farms.
Water Supply: Nyagamele pipe-borne water supply Buea Town, drinking water supply at Musaka, drilling of electrical boreholes in Great Soppo, Sandpit- Bakweri town, Bokwaongo, Bova and Molyko.
Street lights: installed street lights from Mile 17 to Buea Town and along major streets; mile 14 to Mile 16, GRA - Guinness Street, Police roundabout to Bokwaongo, Tuborg junction to Long Street, Memoz to GHS Bokwaongo junction, Campaign Street to Brigade and Bongo square to Regional Hospital.
The purchase of a service car for the mayor, council chairs and tables, supply of medical equipment to health centers, purchase of equipment to fight COVID 19 were also mentioned as other achievements.
As Buea Council authorities clarified public doubts about some projects, HRH Abel Mokuke Ndive ,Chief of Sasse in Buea Subdivision, promised to support the council with a waste management project and to provide it council with land for its future projects.
Ashia Eyock of the Global Citizens Council implored denizens to also consider volunteering in the execution of council projects, so to gain experience, seek finances and start up their own projects
Prof. Vincent Titanji, former Vice Chancellor of University of Buea suggested that the council should improve on the tourist sites in Buea, so to boost its revenue.
On waste management worries, the mayor and his deputies, disclosed that the council plans to own a waste management plant, which will cost about one billion Ffcfa, but that due to the huge cost, the council plans to have it as a joint project with other development partners
“We just need to bring in experts and when those experts will come together they will develop a waste management plan for Buea,” said the mayor
The mayor disclosed that the council was strategizing to boost its revenue base and not depend only funds form the State,so that it can satisfactorily meet citizens’ needs.
Concerning Land for projects, he said according to Cameroon 1974 land ordinance the Senior Divisional Officer manages lands and all a council can do is apply to the government through the SDO.
Talking about the Buea Council land itself, the mayor warned, “No inch of Buea Council land should be touched. Anyone who purchased any part of the Buea Council lands should better meet the seller and get a refund”
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| A participant asking Buea Mayor a question |
The mayor said they have been working with Silicon Mountain, adding that a Microsoft consultant in the Diaspora opted to train youths in Buea, so they can earn income through the legal process.
Responding to low investments in sports, Mayor Namange said the limited resources of the council do not allow for huge investment in sport; that priority is being given to the dying needs of the community.
( With contributions from Zakah Mbako Josepher, Mosina Belnovis, Ndobe Sih Sylvia, Joy Bikom and Billa Solomon Bummah ,University of Buea Journalism Students on Internship )
NB:This report was published in The Horizon Newspaper,Cameroon,of Friday 5 August2022
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