"Being an IDP or Refugee is Not a Permanent Status"- Paul Tasong

Minister Paul Tasong launching weeklong activities

The National coordinator of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) of the North West and South West Regions, Paul Tasong has called on the population of the North west Region to embrace the reconstruction and development agenda of the Head of state.

Speaking in Bamenda on Monday June 22, Paul Tasong answered to skeptics who think the process cannot continue without a ceasefire.

"Reconstruction is a pathway to peace. It will be done gradually from the secured areas to the most volatile" Paul Tasong said.

"People cannot live on assistance forever" he noted.

Paul Tasong arrives MINEPAT Hall

The weeklong consultation and awareness campaign will bring together stakeholders from the seven Divisions of the North West region.

In his welcome speech, the Mayor to the Bamenda City council, Paul Achobong, liken the move from the PPRD as a silver lining on the dark clouds.

"The development should be holistic", he noted citing the Bamenda-Babadjou road and the Bamenda Municipal stadium as visible projects that can go a long way to pacify the people of the North West.

The Anglophone crisis that started in November of 2016 has had a great tool on the people. Homes, bridges, hospitals, markets, schools have been burnt and several lives have been lost.

Mayor of Tubah

To the Mayors of Bafut and Tubah, their areas are the hardest hit.

"All the infrastructure is down but with the coming of the Minister, there is hope. If we convey the right messages, the projects initiated will last long" Mayor Tanjong Martin of Tubah municipality said.

Mayor of Bafut

The Mayor of Bafut, Ngwakongoh Lawrence saluted the initiative and says he will begin making calls to the people of Bafut to welcome the reconstruction process.

"When I asked them to return, they told me they have no homes, no shelter. This is a move in the right direction", Ngwakongoh noted.

The state of Cameroon has carried out a series of measures to ensure a return to normalcy in the English speaking Regions of the country. Amongst which are the creation of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Centres, the release of detainees who were arrested for misdemeanors and the Organization of the Major National Dialogue.

To this end, Minister Paul Tasong called on the population not to heed to calls that continue to cause misery on the local population.

"People cannot live on assistance forever. The same story has been told to us for four years and the only thing we see is misery. We have to reconsider", Paul Tasong highlighted.

The five day consultation and awareness campaign will start with Boyo, Bui, Donga Mantung and Menchum Divisions presenting their proposals to Paul Tasong and his vice, Njong Donatus this Tuesday

By Ndi Tsembom Elvis