SDF Senator valourises local rice in donation to IDPs

By Bakah Derick in Bamenda 

Senator Honore Ngam of the Social Democratic Front SDF has expressed the wish to see Cameroon stop the importation of basic products like rice within the shortest possible time.

The SDF Senator from Boyo expressed the wish to this reporter Thursday May 16 in Bamenda during a donation of food items and cash to some 30 families who have been displaced from his place of origin Boyo which became the epicenter of the current armed conflict as early as 2017.

Amongst the items handed to the displaced persons were several bags of Ndop Rice produced in Ngoketunjia Division of the NW region; an action that looked unlike other politicians who prefer to buy imported rice. “For long we have been preaching the consumption of local goods and as a matter of fact it is our wish that within a short possible time Cameroon can stop importing items like rice through food sufficiency because we have the capacity to produce enough rice to feed all Cameroonians.” He regretted that “it is unfortunate that as at now we still cannot produce enough rice to feed enough Cameroonians” but wished that “in the nearest future we should be able to cultivate enough rice to feed Cameroonians. 

Added to the rice were items like groundnut oil, tablets of soap and cash ranging from 35.000FCFA to 50.000FCFA following the need expressed by the beneficiary according to the law maker. According to the Senator the cash was intended to assist those who express the wish to run a small business do so. He has promised to by when necessary to check the effective implementation of the propose project by the beneficiaries. 

In a word of consolation to the displaced, Hon Honore Ngam admitted that the misery has been huge but assured that “no matter how difficult and long this will be, peace will soon return” 

The meeting which was the first with his constituents since his election gave the SDF Senator to thank those who have been supporting his brothers, sisters and parents displaced by the armed conflict. He used the donation event to inform his constituents that as a parliamentarian he has personally been making proposals to government as relates ending the current impasse. 

The donation event also provided for an illustration of solidarity by Kom sons and daughters with the likes of Yong Jacques President of Elite One side Yong Sports Academy YOSA who is also traditional leader (Quarter Head Boo Nteh) of the Kom community at up station Bamenda not being present but also supporting with sizeable quantity of items. The Mayor of Belo, President of the Kom community in Bamenda amongst other also accompanied the Senator.