Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Meeting in Buea, Friday August 11, 2023, during the 5th session of the committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute a total of 12 key points were adopted by members of the committee to further enhance the peace process and the return of normalcy in the North West and South West regions.
Among the measures, is a call to intensify the effective implementation of economic recovery measures and to consolidate the considerable progress already registered in the agro-industrial sector.
They also resolved to engage community based approaches in the identification, studies, award and execution of projects to boost social cohesion and community fellowship.
The members discouraged the self-destructive attitude that has been adopted by the population inflicting hardship on communities, through falsehoods and passive cooperation with security services.
A called was made for local authorities and development agencies to work in collaboration with competent government institutions to ease the realization of social projects such as the opening up of farm-to-market roads, and plantation roads for the benefit of smallholder farmers.
During the session, it was revealed that ministries and institutions have been tasked to take appropriate measures to ensure the signing of more enabling instruments for the complete transfer of power and resources to the Regional and local authorities. Meanwhile, regional assemblies of the North West and South West regions have been urged to further exploit existing legal text within he spectrum of the special status to complement the actions of the state and propose viable development initiatives that promote a people-centered approach to peace and development.
The committee members also called for the seeking of possible ways to increase budgetary allocations to entities involved in social and economic development at local levels. This, the follow up committee said, is vital in improving the livelihoods of people at the grassroots heat.
In the spirit of building unity, members also called for continuous dialogue with all stakeholders for the return of peace and an enabling environment for trade and economic revival. They urged those charged with the reconstruction plan to further the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure for the benefit of the population.
Participants noted that economic operators and the population must continue to work as one to ensure a common front against the destructive tendencies of enemies of peace.
Meanwhile, at the end of the session, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute saluted the contribution of the civil society and other participants to ensure the return of peace.
This particular meeting focused essentially on the economic recovery of the North West and South West Regions. It had speakers from across the board from these two regions; economic operators, big businesses, small businesses, development agencies and the conclusion which was arrived at is that “a lot of water has gone under the bridge, in other words a lot has been done,” the Prime Minister said.
