NW/SW Armed Conflict: PPRD report progress despite access, needs, security challenges

Progress has been reported in the implementation of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) of the North West Region despite access, needs and security challenges. In a report presented on Tuesday 28 March 2023 in Bamenda, it was revealed that several projects have been realized in the areas of social cohesion restoration, infrastructure reconstruction and livelihood revitalization. 

Balungeli Ebune Confiance speaking in Bamenda during stakeholders meeting 

Standing out in the list of projects realized is the support of close to 1300 individual farmers with equipment, support to 90 poultry farmers, support for the rehabilitation of 200 farms, rehabilitation and reconstruction of 30 schools, eight solar powered water points, issuance of lost documents to 400 beneficiaries amongst others. Despite being the epicenter of the armed conflict several projects have been realized in Bui Division including the reconstruction of a market with 34 sheds, repairs provided to five schools, support to microfinance and media houses. A similar report is made of Boyo Division another hot spot of the unrest. Momo is reported to have benefited the least number of projects with just support to one cooperative, farm equipment to two councils and repairs of two schools. 

Partial view of participants at the evaluation meeting 

During a meeting with local authorities and community leaders where the report was presented, the president of the PPRD saluted the local implementing partner being the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for ensuring the effective implementation of the plan by the President of the Republic Paul Biya to ensure the reconstruction and Development of the North West Region heavily affected by the over six years old armed conflict. 

According to Balungeli Ebune Confiance who doubles as Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister's Office, these projects have been implemented in all seven divisions of the region. He used the moment to encourage and appeal to the population to appropriate projects by rejecting "those rejecting community development." While appreciating the fact that work was going and many coming are asking for more, the steering committee strongman challenged those communities interested in benefiting to should show proof of readiness to protect the project. 

The Mayor of Bamenda I, the City Mayor, the Director of MIDENO, the representative of the Archbishop of Bamenda, the Fon of Nkwen expressed gratitude for the work done by the plan in their various communities. The Mayor of Bamenda III Fongu Cletus Tanwe however expressed his preoccupation about the many areas where accessing remains a challenge. "Though we happy done so far, I think all is still not well." Mayor Fongu Cletus said

Balungeli Ebune Confiance and regional steering committee president North West Governor Lele L'Afrique Adolph Tchoffo Deben went on to visit some of the projects around the city of Bamenda with the intention of having first hand appraisal of the work done. Balungeli makes a stop in Bamenda after that of the South West regions where he made a similar evaluation of the projects carried out so far. 

Governor Lele L'Afrique Adolph Tchoffo Deben speaking during the session 

The heavily funded plan is a byproduct of the Major National Dialogue health in Yaoundé from September 30 to October 4, 2019 with the view to finding a solution to the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West regions. 

"I can assure you that all of them will be considered attentively and diligently with a view to implementing them, taking into account their relevance and feasibility, as well as the capacities of our country." President Paul Biya promised at the end of the dialogue.