Bamenda:

Slow Execution of Social Housing Project Irks Minister

Housing Minister, Jean Claude Mbwentchou

“I am not only disappointed, but very, very disappointed with what I have seen on the field today, most especially, the ongoing construction of low-cost housing at Mile five Nkwen, which is a social scheme to improve on the standard of living of the population. From what I have seen, this project and more cannot be completed before November this year, and as such, I have given firm instructions to all the stakeholders that the project must be realized before 31 March 2019.

            The minister of housing and urban development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou, expressed his indignation over the weekend as he came visiting projects executed and those earmarked for construction and rehabilitation. He said what angered him most, was the fact that he visited the construction site last year and work was going on well, and one year after, realization is at 10 percent only. In other places, realisation is still very low at 20 percent.

            He, therefore, urged Northwest governor and the government delegate to the Bamenda City Council to be very strict in supervising the projects, because, as he put it; “People cannot be spending money leaving Yaounde and coming here spending two or three days and they rush back when work is not progressing.”

            The Minister equally called on the Moroccan company in charge of constructing 100 low-cost houses to ensure that the new deadline is respected, else serious sanctions will be meted against them for breach of contract. To the population of the Northwest region, the minister said without peace there will be no construction of roads and houses. He wondered aloud when the burning of houses will stop.

            He praised his majesty Azehfor III, Fon of Nkwen, for sacrificing the land and the traditional steps he took for the project to take off. He urged him to keep the good spirit of collaborating with the administration for more development projects to come to Nkwen – that is fast growing. Fon Azehfor expressed the wish to see the Nkwen Main market rehabilitated to a modern market.

            The head of the council team from Yaounde, Emmanuel Abongwa, insinuated that there is serious misunderstanding between the contractor and those he is working wih, which has to do with irregular salaries and a lot more.

            The visit took the Minister to projects that have gulped FCFA 20 million, implemented by French Development Agency under the Debt Relief and Development Contract CD2, envisaged projects such as: the construction of a Central Terminal at Mendankwe Up station, rehabilitation of Ntarinkon Market, Municipal Library behind Commercial Avenue grandstand, Municipal Slaughter House at Mile four and the protection of the swamps below Foncha Street.