War on Boko Haram:

Okalia’s draconian measures irk SW populations
By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

Okalia

Business operators in the South West Region have expressed grieve at the recent “stringent” security measures spelled out by the administration to be observed by the populace. The measures which came at the wake of recurrent kamikaze attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the Far North Region of the country have provoked varied reactions from denizens in Buea, Limbe and Kumba where the measures are strictly implemented.
    According to some bar owners, shutting down at 9pm as stipulated by the Governor is an unbearable measure for them as it will only help to kill their businesses and invite hardship for owners and the workers alike.
    Eddy, the manager of “Bamboo”, a popular cabaret in Limbe has not ceased lamenting and cursing the authorities for tacking suck a hasty and controversial decision.
“I am renting this place; I am expected to pay 500.000 Fcfa monthly as rents, apart from workers’ salaries and taxes that i must declare monthly. How do they expect us to cope?”

    He went on: “Imagine that barely a day to the signing of the obnoxious decision I had invited four artistes from Douala, paid all their dues and lodged them in hotels to perform at the cabaret of Friday. Then suddenly the bomb descended from Buea. Even though I thought the decision did not concern some of us with license to operate beyond 9pm, I was shocked when the authorities came and asked me to close the place. My customers who were already streaming in were even more embarrassed and confused. If this decision should stay longer then I will have no option than to close the place and go out of business.”
    The story was not different for the owners of “Neptune” and “Limbe Palace” also in Limbe. The joint where roasted sea fish is sold at down beach was also closed by 9pm. Cars could be seen coming and making u turns around the place. 
    The situation is not different for Buea where the popular joint near Mile 16 owned by Papi London, and that on the Molyko hill owned by Nganku Eric have been starving their regular clients, mostly university students of the usual jiving.
    What made things even more hurting was the fact that students who had just been declared successful in the GCE could not go out to celebrate with their friends and classmates.
    For their part, managers of bus transport agencies especially those that do the Buea-Bamenda, Limbe-bamenda and Kumba-Bamenda roads by night, have also continued moaning.
    Commercial bike riders for their part say, it’s no strange thing to them given that they have always understood the officials. But they regret that it will affect them greatly especially as their job is most rewarding at night, especially in the most remote areas of the towns.
    “We will still survive. What matters is our security”, they have stressed.
    However even as some people hailed the authorities for the decision, others say it is not opportune for the South West region. They argue that Boko Haram is localized in the Far North and has not even gotten to the north region.