Bye-Bye Pa Yong

By Fai Cassian 

The mortal remains of Bobe Francis Yong arrived Bamenda where it was moved from the Akum Mortuary to the Bamenda Cathedral. The great educationist, football promoter, media promoter and philanthropist died in Atlanta-USA last December 30, 2013 while on a medical routine checkup. However, Pa Yong’s remains left USA on Monday January 27, 2014 via Paris in France. He landed at the Douala Airport on Wednesday January 29, 2014 and then Bamenda the next day. According to the program at our disposal, he was to be moved from the Akum Mortuary today January 31, 2014 at about 8 am. From there, Pa Yong’s mortal remains will be taken to the St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral, Mankon for a funeral mass to be presided by Bishop Nkea from Mamfe. There after, an official funeral and eulogies at the Bamenda Congress Hall. It was where the weak, the strong, the rich and the poor had to pay their homage to the departed hero. Pa Yong’s remains would be moved to his private residence for an all night vigil. On Saturday, February 1, 2014, there would be a final funeral mass at his higher institution, the National Polytechnic Bamenda to be presided by Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo. At by 13 pm, Bobe Francis Yong’s mortal remains would be taken to his native Anyajua in Kom, Boyo Division for burial.

It should be recalled that Bobe Francis Yong died shortly after Yong Sport Academy won the Cameroon Cup and some few months after he lost the mother. Born on January 8, 1945, Bobe Francis Yong was raised in a typical Kom family of moderate parents. He quest for education earned him the First School Leaving Certificate, London Chamber of Commerce(1) and a Diploma in Secretariat duties. He was recruited into the Public Service as a Clerical Assistant and had worked at the Bamenda DO’s office as a typist. After 24 years of service, he retired and created the stenographic school which he later transformed it to Progressive College. He gave a human face the problem of school fees by accepting even foodstuff and other farm produce. This caught the admiration of parents and gave birth to a series of schools such as PCHS Bamenda, KCHS Anyajua and the admirable National Polytechnic of Bamenda.  He also left an indelible mark of greatness as a sports promoter with two 1^st Division teams, National Polytechnic FC and Yong Sports Academy. He is also the proprietor of Cameroon National Television-CNTV and Abakwa FM. Before he kicked the bucket, he had been putting in place at Agricultural School at Bambui. As it stands, Bobe Francis Yong would be remembered beyond the borders of Cameroon. At the time of putting this farewell to Pa Yong, confidential sources hinted that Pa Yong would be decorated Posthumous by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization.  

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Scandal at CBC as Church Loses FCFA 5.5 Million to Fire

The question as to why church money should be trusted to the keeping of an individual for four days abound high at the Nkwen Baptist Church following reports that a total sum of FCFA 5.5 million was consumed by fire. The incident of January 20, 2014 has been talk of the day among CBC church goers in Bamenda town and even beyond. The story goes that the sum of FCFA 5.5 million was handed to Pa Mike Kuiyo so that he keeps in the accounting unit of the CBC but four days after, the money was reported gulped by fire. Allegations abound that Mike Kuiyo mistakenly dropped the money into the waste basket. The content was later emptied and set on fire.  It is aired that some pupils of CBC primary school noticed that money was being consumed by fire they took advantage to benefit some few banknotes. More so, it is also alleged that when alerted on the occurrence, some workers of the Education board of the CBC also benefitted to pick some few banknotes. Yet the General Secretary of the CBC as well as pastor Njini Edward have kept seal lips on the issue. According to a hint, the judicial police in Bamenda recently opened an investigation on the FCFA 5.5 million saga. Inside sources at the CBC hinted at weekend that a commission of Inquiry headed by Ngafeeson Emmanuel has been named and others members according to the hint include Prof. Tih Pius and Fai Yengo Francis. Tongues are waging at CBC Nkwen as some Christians have started pointing accusing fingers at their enemies and suspecting them of having a hidden hand in the incident.

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All Roads Lead to Bambili for Two-in-One Celebration on Feb. 7

By Fai Cassian 

HRH Fon Tamukum II of Bambili

Sons and daughters of Bambili village (Mezam Division) in the North West Region of Cameroon are preparing for a cultural fiesta which kick-starts on February 7, 2014. This groundbreaking two-in-one celebration of February 7, 2014 promises to be the biggest crowd puller of the year given the magnitude of the event. According to the hint, all is now set for the cultural fiesta at the Bambili Fon’s palace that will begin with the public presentation of the newly enthroned traditional ruler of the (Mbili) Bambili people, HRH Fon Tamukum II and the commencement of the funeral celebration of HRH Late Fon Awemo II. Gun firing, masquerades display, singing and dancing will take the central stage for at least four weeks commencing February 7. North West Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique as well as the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam Nguele Nguele Philip are also expected to join in the celebrations marking the life of HRH Fon Awemo II. North West traditional rulers as well as key political figures of the region will also mark their presence to pay homage to the departed hero.  HRH Fon Awemo II is accredited for his contribution towards the development of Bambili village. He allocated land to host the University of Bamenda, the Regional College of Agriculture, ENS and many other institution of higher learning. Before passing away to eternity, he left an indelible mark of greatness. He was the eleventh ruler of the industrious Mbili(Bambili) of the North West Region.

HRH Fon Tamukum II succeeded Late Fon Awemo II and he is the 12^th ruler of the (Mbili) Bambili people. Historically, the Mbili people (Bambili today) are of the Tikari tribe.  

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SDO Frowns at the Execution of 2013 Public Investment Budget, Warns....

By Fai Cassian Ndi & Haruna Mohamadou

Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard SDO (Middle)Disappointed with low execution

The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division has given March 31, 2014 as latest date for the complete execution of all projects below FCFA 5million.  Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard made the declaration during the official launching of the 2014 financial year in Donga Mantung Division. Speaking during that ceremony at the Nkambe Community hall, the SDO said he was shocked that Donga Mantung Division was last in the execution of the 2013 Public Investment Budget for 2013. He frowed at the conflict of interest that is chopping off the Divisional Delegation of Public Contracts-MINMAP which according to what we gathered contributed in slowing down the award of contracts and their execution in the division. Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard also warned against the exploitative nature of some technical services. He quoted an example whereby one technical service asked for a sum of FCFA 800.000 to build a tender file. The amount he noted is quite exorbitant. Vote holders he observed expect frank collaboration from the technical services and not what transpired or was observed in the field recently. He reiterated that there is a lot of disorder at the Divisional Delegation of Public Contracts for Donga Mantung Division and that such archaic behaviors have tampered development process. There is the pathetic case whereby a contract duly awarded by MINMAP Donga Mantung was petitioned against by the same delegation. It was also observed that MINMAP service car has always been on transit between Kumbo and Nkambe, sometimes at very crucial moments that it should have accompanied other staff to the field. It was also revealed that the staff of MINMAP has not been corporative in their job assignments. While one in visiting the same project in the morning another is preparing to visit the very project in the afternoon. Duplication of functions is the order of the day and more so, contracts awarded by the tender board were also cancelled an awarded to a different contractor by the Divisional Delegate. It is even reported that some contracts were received without them being completed, a similar case was reported in Ako and in Ndu the head teacher of one primary school was asking whether it was normal that benches for his school could be received in his absent. In fact, MINMAP Nkambe has been observed as being in a state of comma due to conflict of interest. 

However, in his closing remarks the SDO for Donga Mantung Division prescribed hardwork to all the stakeholders ranging from the Controler of Finance, Public Works, Economy, Plan and Regional Development and Public Contracts. He also called on the Taxation Service to be duty conscious and above all for contractors and control engineers to work in collaboration for a 100% execution of the budget. Break time is over and this is the time for work, he concluded. 

It should be noted that during the fourth Follow up Meeting of Public Investment Budgets for Donga Mantung Division, MINMAP Delegate Chin Emmanuel was conspiciously present. Members also frowned at his perpetual manner of not attending meetings. It was also observed that he had never attended any Follow up Meeting whereas he is the major stakeholder in the process. Yet he is a permanent absentee at meetings.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Water Scarcity Hits Ndu, Nkambe

By Fai Cassian Ndi

If water as they say is life, then Nkambe and Ndu towns in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region of Cameroon may perhaps eventually be lifeless. This is so due to the scarcity of water. It is January, Nkambe and Ndu towns with the fast growing population is again in water crisis. This wobbly situation is having diversified interpretations. Environmentalists are of the opinion that the scarcity of water has been orchestrated by the changing climate while some development experts on the other hand say it is due to the abusive cultivation of eucalyptus trees in and around water catchments. Yet traditionalists on their part are convinced that the gods are angry. It is common to see a traditional ruler pouring libation at a stream calling on the gods to bring back water. The situation is such that taps regularly run dry; some small springs have dried off while others have lost their sizes. Water has been tagged as a rare commodity given that to get water especially at this period of the year is as complicated as a journey to Mars. Access to water is a major predicament and gradually it has reached a crisis level.

In Ndu town, the council has adopted rationing strategies with the Ndu Water Authority to meet up with the pressing water problems. Talking to this reporter, the Mayor of Ndu Council Bunyui Emmanuel Nyugap says apart from the fact that water is now rationed in Ndu town, the council has also embarked on mitigating the crisis to avoid any out break of water borne diseases. The population he said is being sensitized and it is an ongoing process. He also mentioned that the council has also embarked on the eradication of eucalyptus trees in and around water catchments and in the months ahead Ndu council intends to construct an additional water pumping station as an immediate package aimed at providing a temporary solution to the crisis. He also observed that there is an urgent need to empower the rural communities on the sustainable natural resource management.

In Nkambe, the situation is becoming very precarious. Former mayor of Nkambe, Mangoh Jones says from 2010 to 2013, the council eradicated over 20.000 eucalyptus trees in and around and has planted over 32.000 environmental friendly trees at the main water catchmentwith support from the Ministry of Forestry and Faiuna, Mangoh Jones. Nkambe town has three watersheds, but they have been invaded by eucalyptus trees. Mangoh Jones Tanko said that the first water crisis emerged in 1999, when the population of Nkambe town went for almost two months without potable water. “Last year, the council supported the communities of Binju, Ngwanyuh and Mansoh to construct some springs that could serve these quarters during the months of January, February and March but it is pathetic that the springs usually run dry due to severe harshness of the dry season”.   

He observed that the situation is very critical as families move over 10-20 km everyday to get water. He blamed the population for setting watersheds on fire as well as the abusive planting of eucalyptus trees in and around water catchments. It should be noted that more than 85% of all the water catchments in Donga Mantung and Bui are invaded by eucalyptus trees. Experts say a mature eucalyptus tree consumes a minimum of 400 liters of water per day. Besides, if there are still little drops of water in Nkambe town, it is thanks to Mangoh Jones Tanko the former mayor of Nkambe who took the challenge to  launched a fierceless war by replacing eucalyptus in water catchments. Yet, approxiamtely half of the trees planted were all consumed by bushfire this year. To cut the story short, indicators are rife that more than 92% of the watersheds usually get dry during dry season. Some of the streams even dry off completely. It is common to see children digging at the watersheds to find water.  
Uncertainty looms large as it is feared that this could lead to an outbreak of cholera or increasing water borne diseases. Of late, it has been observed that the number of typhoid cases in Ndu and Nkambe have increased geometrically. Farmers on the other hand have been complaining that weather patterns have changed and it is resulting to poor crop yields. Yet the same farmers hardly keep to the instructions of avoiding “slatch and burnt” commonly known as “ankara” in their farms. Cattle grazers on the other hand for wanting fresh grass for their cattle have gone on a periodic folly of setting the bushes on fire. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa