The amount was contributed at a fundraising ceremony in Yaounde Saturday October 8. The event unfolded under the watchful eyes of the paramount ruler of Bafanji, HRM Fon Ngwefon II.
The Chairman of the Bafanji Palace Reconstruction Taskforce, Tiembieh Cletus Nchue, said the project hatched five years back only took effect months back because other pressing projects on health, education and other social amenities had to first be attended to.
“But now, the people have decided that this is what we are going to embark on,” he said, adding that from Bafoussam where the resolve was taken, “the momentum has been incredibly high”.
Tiembieh said the “development-oriented Bafanji people who believe in the philosophy of self-reliance” thought it wise to embark on reconstruction in the palace because the over five decades old existing structures are dilapidated and no longer proper for habitation.
“The palace is at the epicenter of every event and so it is important that we make it befitting especially for the committee that are very lively and like to be seen and heard…it is not proper that their palace is not a reflection of who they are,” Tiembieh explained.
“The project is quite a mammoth one and would be about 500 million and can get to about 530-540 due to inflation,” he revealed, adding that this first phase to rconstruct the queens’ section and the queen mother section would cost about 130-150 million FCFA.
“After the queens’ and queen mother’s section, we are going to the Fon’s section that embodies some traditional structures. We also have a project to construct a library, a museum and grandstand at the palace esplanade,” he added.
Tiembieh hailed the renewed level of connection between the population and the taskforce, which he said gives them hope of delivering in the assignment given them by the Fon.
Welcoming his Bafanji kith and kin and guests earlier at the event, the Head of the Local Organising Committee, Mba’a Tiemunji William, reiterated the need for all and sundry to contribute for the success of the humanitarian and social course embarked on holistically embarked on by the Bafanji community.
“We want that what we will realise here today to contaminate the other regions where Bafanji sons and daughters are based,” he said.
Mba’a Tiemunji said the existing and almost fallen structures jeopadises the tradition and culture. “That is why we thought it wise to take a giant step to do something that will stay for posterity,” he said.
Fon appeals on all to join dev’t train
The paramount ruler of Bafanji, HRM Fon Ngwefon II, thanked all sons and daughters for welcoming the project and doing their utmost to see it realised and appreciated the relentless support of friends of the village.
He also hailed the efforts of the royal taskforce charged with coordinating the project and called on all Bafanji sons and daughters to join the development train.
“We want to send the message to those back home that even in crisis, we should have hope and that is why back home in the village the people came out massively as one person and contributed much,” HRM Fon Ngwefon II said.
He called on all Bafanji sons and daughters to join the development and positive thought train for the wellbeing and welfare of the community.
The fundraising was launched in Buea last July and later took place in the village and the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
From Yaounde, it is expected to hold in other regions of the country and other parts of the diaspora.
The fundraising will wrap up in December and the reconstruction launched in January 2023 with the first phase of the modern structures expected to be delivered in April 2023 hopefully.
