A traditional ruler in the Center region has accused the government over the continuous spread of the novel virus, Covid-19.
The ruler of Mfoundassi in Yaounde 4 subdivision of the Mfoundi Division whose name we got as His Majesty Ateba Yene, is reported to have pushed the blame on the Yaounde Administration as the number of infected cases of the virus keeps surging.
His Majesty Ateba said government’s decision to reopen entertainment and leisure spots is the main cause for the rapid spread.
“I still believe the government to be responsible for this. We shouldn’t reopen the bars like we did. I tell you, without being an ominous bird, you will see, the disease will go on growing,” he reportedly told a journalist in the nation’s capital.
“In bars, when someone has had a beer or two, you can’t get people to follow the distancing measures” he further explained.
Cameroon stood at 2,061 on April 30 when the restrictive measures were eased due to the economic loses registered due to the government ordered lockdown.
Close to 8 weeks after reopening, the figures drastically increased to over 12,200confirmed cases with 313 deaths.
The custodian of tradition has invited the authorities to restate restriction on the operation hours for the entertainment and leisure facilities and punish whenever necessary.
“I think we have to put all this in order, we have to cut the pear in half, say that after 8 pm, Cameroonians must rest to give the best of themselves so that in 2035, Cameroon is an emerging country” he suggested.
“Pay the fines, even if it is 3000 FCFA.”
As part of measure to curb the spread of the deadly virus, Center regional governor, Naseri Paul Béa signed an order to suspend funeral vigils and the funeral rites in his territory of command a month ago.
To the order, his majesty believes “the governor made a good decision. In life, one thing you have to know is that a state must know how to make decisions, even unpopular ones, which are hard but to give direction to the people, for the good of the people.”
He also noted “when it comes to funeral vigils, are you going to tell someone not to go to a funeral vigil? Are you going to tell someone not to pay respect and pay tribute to the deceased? It’s quite difficult …”
One of the 17points preventive measures introduced by the government on March 17, was the compulsory wearing of face masks in all public spaces nationwide.
This, though partially respected by some Cameroonian, many have remained adamant to the call citing difficulty in breathing when having the masks on.
He went on to explained how difficult it is people to respect the decision even when provided freely. “The governor came to my house with the Divisional Officer, they made a tour in Yaoundé 4 and distributed the masks, people tell you ‘it suffocates’”.
(Photo Credit: Journalducameroun.com)
