Post-War Reconstruction of NW/SW:

Church Leaders Endorse Presidential Plan

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Religious leaders in the NW and SW regions have given their blessing for the start of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the two crisis-hit regions, PPRD-NW/SW. 
    The church leaders endorsed the plan following deliberations with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP - Cameroon’s partner in the implementation of the plan.
    The meeting at the Archdiocese of Douala on Wednesday 5 August 2020 focused on how the plan could alleviate the negative effects of the four-year conflict on the population. Apart from the effect of conflict, the church leaders noted that the covid-19 has added to the sufferings of the population.
    “In this regard, the religious leaders in support of the UNDP plan, strongly endorse and support the implementation of the recovery plan as it focuses on the people in strengthening social cohesion, revitalisation of local economy, and access to basic services,” partly read a release that was issued after the meeting.
    While calling on friends and partners to contribute resources for the plan, the religious authorities called on the population of the two regions to also cooperate and facilitate its implementation.
    The religious leaders expressed the wish to be regularly consulted and updated on developments on the ground throughout the implementation process.
    The Resident Representative of the UNDP, Jean-Luc Stalon Tuesday 5 May 2020 signed a Financing Agreement and the Project Document of the Plan with the government, represented by the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Alamine Ousmane Mey.
    According to the project document, UNDP is expected to among other things ensure: the production of deliverables and timely attainment of the results; capacity building of stakeholders in the perspective of the transfer of knowledge and development of know-how both at the central and local levels; ensure the exit strategy and continuation of the implementation of the programme by national partners. Government has already made available FCFA 89 682 938 100 billion representing 10% of what would be used for the first phase of the plan.
    The reconstruction committee led by Minister Paul Tasong, will oversee the construction of: 350 Schools; rehabilitate some 115 Health Centers; 40 Bridges; 600km of rural roads; rehabilitate 400 power points, 500 Km of low tension power points; construct over 45 Markets; 12000 houses, 25000 hectares of farm land, livestock lost by grazers,  and re-establish over 3000 personal documents destroyed as a result of the over 3-year armed conflict in the two regions.
    The Douala meeting brought together religious leaders including; Cardinal Christian Tumi, Emeritus Archbishop of Douala; Bishop Micheal Bibi, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea;  Bishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda; Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon; Reverend Dr. Godwill Ncham Chiatoh, Executive President of the Full Gospel Mission in Cameroon, Reverend Mbiwan Enonchong Daniel, General Superintendent of the Full Gospel Mission in Cameroon, Tukur Mohammed Adamu, Imam of the Bamenda Central Mosque, Mallam Mohammed Abouka, Chief Imam, Buea Central Mosque and Bishop Dibo Elango of the Anglican Communion.