Climate Change Mitigation: PAPNCC, PNDP Partnership Convention Ignites Hope

By Fai Cassian Ndi

The signing of the Partnership Convention took place at the National Assembly on June 24, 2014 in the presence of the 1^st Vice President, Hon. Hilarion Etong. Harping on the necessity of the partnership, the 1^st Vice President of the National Assembly, personal representative of Hon. Cavaye Yeguie, saluted the efforts deployed by the Pan African Parliamentarians Network on Climate-PAPNCC and the National Community Driven Development Programme to combat the phenomenon of Climate change. According to Hon. Hilarion Etong, the devastating effects of climate change can only be checked through collective efforts and endeavours. He saluted the efforts deployed by the National Assembly of Cameroon in combating for a sane environment. Hon. Hilarion also reminded MPS and other stakeholders that there are two networks at National Assembly that ensures sustainable management of natural resources, (REPAR which is concerned with the sustainable management of Central African Ecosystem Forest and PAPNCC which from 2012 carried out series of concrete field activities to mitigate; combat climate change. “We have to be keen observers and vigilant to notice for example the effects of desertification”. He also mentioned the change in rainy and dry seasons, “some weeks ago, early rains were observed in the Extreme North and Northern Regions of Cameroon”. According, the farming calendar was almost frustrated, the 1^st Vice President emphasized. To Hon. Hilarion Etong, “there is the need for a strategic fight in order to succeed. In line with the fight, REPAR he added signed a convention with the Cameroon Traditional Rulers Forum; Ministry of Women Affair and the Family to combat the phenomenon. He lauded the partnership convention between PAPNCC and PNDP which is intended to work with councils, rural communities, NGOs and other stakeholders in the mitigation process.

Hon. Awudu Mbaya, PAPNCC Executive President in landmark speech said that climate change is real and to combat its devastating effects, it demands collective efforts. He said the Pan African Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change “is aimed at drawing the

attention of the population on the negative and devastating effects of Climate Change. It calls on people and even appeal to their consciences to avoid the activities that can step up the phenomenon and rather fight against it tooth and nail”. He revealed that for several years now, PAPNCC has organized several activities at the National Assembly and on the field; especially with the re-aforestation campaign which took MPs nationwide to plant trees. He emphasized that even though Parliamentarians are not experts in climate change, they have the duty to influence policy in this sense in order to improve the living conditions of the population for the sake of their welfare and development. “It is from this perspective that Parliamentarians from across African on their part stand by this call for the following reasons amongst others:

• First, climate change is the biggest threat to the survival of humanity in the 21^st century
• The potential consequences of climate change can only be compare to those suffered during World Wars I & II”

He corroborated that some few years ago in the Northern part of Cameroon, one needed to dig a well of about 4m to get water, but today, it is difficult to find water between 100m to 150m below. “You are living witnesses of the sudden disappearance of Lake Chad. Other lakes around us are in the same situation. Rivers around us are fast disappearing and we are witnessing changing patterns in the cycle of the rainy season even in the Southern parts of Cameroon”, he lamented. “These signals are an indication that as one African leader said Africa could in a few years be faced with severe water shortage that could lead to a Water War whereby water would be rationed and people would fight to have even just a little to drink. At that time the cost of importing water would be more than that of food supplied War victims today”, he continued. Hon. Awudu Mbaya Cyprian reiterated that the time to act is now. “One dollar or euro spent today in climate change is worth a million tomorrow” and prevention he cautioned is better than cure. Hon. Awudu Mbaya described the partnership convention with PNDP as a milestone which he said would be very productive for the welfare of the population. He said in the partnership with mayors of councils, PNDP will increasingly be an important link in the chain for development, dell-being of the people through the specific, strong and common struggle against the phenomenon of climate change.

On her part the Coordinator of National Community Driven Development Programme-PNDP, Magdeline Ngah said that partnership convention with PAPNCC was a high point in the fight against climate change. She said for the past years, PNDP has been working with councils to get to the grass root. PNDP she said has worked relentlessly in providing communities with classrooms, youth empowerment centres, water schemes, integrated health cenres, construct markets et cetera.  

The Minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development on his part said that Convention was in line with Government actions. Minister Hele Pierre also pointed out that humanity is facing a serious challenge which is climate change. He climate change mitigation is part of government policy in ensuring the welfare of the population.

It should be noted that present at the ceremony were the Minister of Environment, Hele Pierre, Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Marie Therese Abena, Minister Delegate in Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Yaouba Abdoulaye and about 100 MPs witnessed the signing of the partnership convention between PAPNCC and PNDP. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

AKO COUNCIL RESCUED FROM PLANNED SABOTAGE

Press  Release

The Social Democratic Front (SDF) has halted an ongoing mafia by a gang of two in the Ako Council bent on thwarting developmental endeavors by the SDF newly elected administration headed by Mayor Akio Augustine and his team..

A team of experts from the SDF set up by the National Chairman of the SDF comprising Mayor Mangoh Jones ( mayor for close to eighteen  years and leader of UCCC NW) , Mayor Martin Fon Yembe  ( President of Association of North West Councilors ANWEC,) and Amidou Sajoh ( District Secretary SDF Nkambe and Council Affairs expert,) stormed Ako on Saturday June 21, 2014 to put a stop to the ongoing sabotage.

According to the councilors, the duo, Stella Maih (the supposed Municipal Treasurer), and Mbengia Wilfred Ngum (the Secretary General imposing self as the boss of the council) have hijacked the Ako council. While the Municipal Treasurer Stella Maih spends the entire month at Weh or Bamenda and so stifling council work, the SG, Ngum Wilfred assumes the position of Mayor. The Municipal Treasurer reportedly decides what amount the council will have from the little that remains after she must have invested the rest in her private activities. If she feels fine and is even around Ako, she could dole out a tiny part of what she still has to the council for developmental activities. This, she does with impunity. She goes as far as withdrawing funds from council bank accounts without the slightest knowledge of the Mayor, coupled with the fact that the Mayor never sees any receipts or has knowledge of any cash flow!

On his part, the Secretary General, Ngum Wilfred calls the shots in Ako. Not only does he decide the agenda of the Ako Council, but he goes as far as executing orders signed by him, without the knowledge or consent of the Mayor. He has blocked the holding of Committee sessions, except the Finance Committee.( which met for obvious reasons)! He recently ordered the killing of stray animals and went ahead to shooting pigs and other stray animals in especially SDF strong holds as if to ignite the wrath of SDF militants against the SDF-run council. He holds close door meetings with his municipal Treasurer whenever she stops around at Ako on her way from Weh to Bamenda!

During the Training Workshop in Ako by the Fru Ndi ordered team, there was a lot of awareness created on issues of council management and activities. Many at the end confessed that they had been navigating in darkness without radar, and so with this training, the ignorance and disorder hitherto witnessed in Ako will be a thing of the past.

Among the several resolutions arrived at was the one stating categorically that he Councilors will NEVER tolerate any so-called 7-man Caretaker Committee by whoever to run the Ako Council if “ disorder persists in the area”. They emphatically stated that there is no fire in the house…that the imaginary fire is being inflamed by the enemies of the SDF and the People of Ako Municipality…and these enemies are well known to all!

Participants resolved to call the attention of MINAT-D to the atrocious activities of Mr, Ngum Wilfred, the SG and do same to MINFI on the absences and destructive activities of Madam Stella Maih, the supposed Municipal Treasurer. They as well extended special thanks to the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, Ni John Fru Ndi, for the timely decision to send the rescue team to Ako. Speaking for the Ako Council, Mr. Akio Augustine, the Lord Mayor vowed that these negative trends will never again be attributed to the Ako Council as he and his colleagues have been tutored on their rights, rules and duties in the council.

DONE IN AKO THIS 21^ST DAY OF JUNE 2014

Signed:

Mangoh Jones T.        Martin Fon Yembe         Sajoh Amidou

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

World Desertification Day: NW Stakeholders Discuss Challenges

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Tansi Laban Bambo

This year's world desertification day was celebrated in Bamenda midst numerous challenges and a clarion call  by the North West Regional Delegation of Environment, Protection of the Nature and Sustainable Development has highlighted the various challenges faced by the population. Speaking at the Round Table discussion, North West Regional Delegate Tansi Laban Bambo expressed worries that all the seven divisions are being affected by desertification. In his paper, the regional delegate also disclosed that this year’s theme: Ecosystem-based Adaptation highlights the benefits of mainstreaming sustainable land management policies and practices into everyone’s collective response to climate change. Harping on the negative of impact in the region, Mr. Laban revealed that close to 2 million people are being affected by the phenomenon of desertification. The effects he said ranges from water scarcity to poor crop yield. He also lamented that in areas such as Nkambe, Ndu and Kumbo, water is becoming a very scarce community. According to the delegate, the abusive cultivation of eucalyptus trees have contributed enormously to water problems in the region.

He called on the population to adapt and change their attitude towards land use and management of natural resources. According to the regional delegate, with the right interventions, “we can turn the vicious cycle of climate change and desertification into a virtuous cycle of productive land and reduction in greenhouse gas emission. He called on the population to protect wetlands and watersheds by planting water friendly trees, practice sustainable agricultural activities, stop acclamation of wetlands, avoid bushfire, Ankara burning, and stop the planting of eucalyptus trees in water catchments, maintain soil cover by planting cover crops, etc. To the regional delegate, land degradation is a serious threat to human existence. “Desertification and land degradation doesn’t have to threaten our future. Let us mitigate the effects of desertification and land degradation by saying a Big No to unsustainable practices that accelerate land degradation and causes drought.

It should be noted that the day was also commemorated with various stakeholders exhibiting their savoir-faire. The delegation also donated trees to some beneficiaries. To draw the cotton on this year’s world desertification day, over 2000 trees were planted at the Bamendakwe water catchment. The Bambui water authority also benefited from the tree planting exercise organized by the delegate of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development.  

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

What if Fon of Nkambe is NOWEFU Next President?

By Fai Cassian 

Speculations as to who succeeds Fon Teche at the helm of NOWEFU have come to null. The Fon of Nkambe, HRH Ibrahim Japbu Nfor has declared that anyone attempt to manipulate that the Presidency of the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU doesn’t go to Donga Mantung Division, will meet very stiff resistance and may even led to Donga Mantung pulling out of the fons union. Fon Ibrahim Japbu Nfor told Chronicle newspaper in Bamenda a week ago that “this is my time, I am bound to take over”, he emphasized. This is so because all the other divisions of the North West have had their turns except Donga Mantung and Boyo. The Fon of Nkambe was very categorical that if there would be any attempt to manipulate or relegate his division from succeeding Fon Teche at the helm of the fons union, Donga Mantung Division would be forced to pull out. However, commentators hold that anyone who succeeds Fon Teche next year is likely to be appointed senator. Accordingly, by 2018 when the next elections would take place, it could be Fon Teche’s successor who could be appointed. The fon of Nkambe, it should be noted has been in the corridors of power since the insertion of NOWEFU. He served in various capacities such as treasurer and is currently the 3^rd Vice President. It should as well be noted that the position of NOWEFU president rotates amongst the divisions. Others have already benefited. Mezam Division produced the first President in the name of Fon Abuhmbi II of Bafut, Bui, Sehm Mbinglo of Nso, Ngoketunjia, Fon Chafah of Bangolang, Menchum, Fon Anneng Francis of Bafmen and Momo, Fon Teche of Nggyen Muwa. The Eye is aware that some 11 fons recently set up a committee headed by the Fon of Bafut to revise the constitution of NOWEFU but it would be disastrous if it is intended to manipulate on the three years term and rotation of the presidency, popular opinion holds. Yet classified source say Donga Mantung may likely stage a drama similar to that of Menchum and Ngoketunjia. This is so because it is feared two other candidates are said to have declared their intention as well. (a suivre) 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Boko Haram: NUDP National Youth President Calls for Vigilance

Ndansi Elvis Nukam, the national Youth President of the National Union for Democracy and Progress-NUDP has called on the population of Sabongida, in Misaje Sub Division to be more vigilant. NUDP National President who stormed Sabongida talked to “achaba riders”, and youth leaders as well as quarter heads called on the entire population of the border village to collaborate with the, administration, and forces of law and order to ensure that the Islamic Extremist group, Boko Haram doesn’t infiltrate into their community. Despite several worries expressed by the youths such as “what do they want? What have we done to them?” the meeting ended with everyone admitting that the village vigilantic group must be on the alert to avoid the unexpected. Before leaving Sabongida for Dumbu and Misaje where he held two separate meetings with drivers, achaba riders and some traditional rulers, Ndansi Elvis saluted the efforts so far deployed by the locals in alerting the population. He cautioned drivers and achaba riders in Misaje and Dumbu towns adding that dialogue should always be given priority. He warned against strike actions as a solution to problem given that before his arrival, achaba riders and drivers had gone on rampant over what they described as the incessant quest for money by the Brigade Commander.

To Ndansi Elvis,  ever since Boko Haram started being a security threat to boarder villages, much has been talk and done in the North but Sabongida village in Misaje Subdivision which shares a direct land boarder with Bisola in Taraba State of Nigeria has not been given much attention. He lamented that there is a very porous boarder with the custom office being closed. Talking to this reporter after the Sabongida trip whuch he did on an “achaba” Ndansi said “I went there for a sensitisation meeting with the villagers on Boko Haram and guide them on how to ensure community vigilance. This is part of my constituency and my little contribution to ensure that my people are safe”

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

FCFA 371 Million Swindled at Bamenda City Council: MTs, Controllers Suspected

Vincent Ndumu Nji, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council is currently tussling over paper work to uncover the sum of FCFA 317 million purportedly missing from the council coffers. Allegations are rife at that the colossal sum of FCFA 317 million disappeared during the tenure of three different municipal treasurers. Since nothing is as secret as the management of funds in councils, where the Municipal Treasurers always play the bosses, one of the treasurers is mentioned to have left a shortage of FCFA 221 million, while two other former treasurers also left a deficit of FCFA 98 million and FCFA 52 million respectively. Yet it was difficult to detect the deficit until when recently auditors from the Ministry of Finance stormed the council to uncover the financial mess.  Whether the money was trafficked by those in the line of control remains another puzzle. The First Assistant SDO for Mezam during the last administrative, management and store accountant accounts is quoted to have advised the Vincent Ndumu Nji should write to the Minister of Finance to look into the issue.

However, tongues are still waging in Bamenda over the financial mess at the Bamenda City Council. Yet public opinion in Bamenda holds that those in the line of control should be included on the list of suspects. Another school of thought holds that while the treasurers are being followed up, those in the line of control could be questioned and investigated for negligence of duty. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

SCNC Issues Release as National Chairman Passes On

PRESS RELEASE

The SCNC deeply regrets to announce the sudden death of our former National Chairman, Chief AYAMBA, ETTE OTUN.

He passed away to eternity today afternoon in his home town Mamfe at the ripe age of 91years.As an activist, member of the National Executive and National  Chairman, he served the Council with dedication, devotion and commitment. He was a passionate believer and defender of the right to self-determination of the British Southern Cameroons people.

While final arrangements for burial are being awaited we call on all faithful members of the SCNC at home and abroad to remain committed to the ideals Chief Ayamba gave his time, energy and life, namely, the
restoration of our sovereign British Southern Cameroons statehood with bright and equal opportunities for all.

Our heart felt condolences to Mrs. Gladys Ayamba and the entire Ayamba family.

Done in Buea, this 18 Day of June 2014

CC: - All SCNC Chapters, Home and Diaspora
- The Press
- Archives

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

SCNC Chairman is no More!!!

The National Chairman of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) Chief Ayamba Ette Otun had passed onto eternity in his native town of Mamfe, Manyu division, Cameroon. A granddaughter of Chief Ayamba is quoted to have said that the family is in deep shock and grief for a man who spend all his life for Anglophone struggle with no date set for his burial. Chief Ayamba died in a hospital in Mamfe after a brief illness. He is over the age of 86 and eats neither meat nor fish in his entire life time and adopted the motor of the “argument of force and not the force of argument’’ to drive home the none violent struggle for the independence of Anglophones Cameroons (Former British Southern Cameroon) in Cameroon. Chief Ayamba is an embodiment of the Anglophone struggle, inculcated in altruism and had spent his entire life span fighting for the liberation of Anglophones in Cameroon. SCNC leaders are reportedly meeting across Cameroon to consider the burial arrangement of the leader. On 30th December 1999 HRH Chief Ayamba Ette Otun, late S.N. Tita (may his soul rest in peace), Justice Alobwede Ebong and Mr. James Sabum (leaving out S.N.Tita who dropped out of the campaign for personal reasons) seized radio Buea and declared the independence of Southern Cameroons; they automatically became front liners in the bid for the self determination of the people of Southern Cameroons. This move was immediately followed by the closure of the border at the Mungo Bridge, under the watchful eyes of armed security forces from the Littoral on 3rd January 2000. Later on H.R.H Chief Ayamba Ette Otun, Emmanuel Doh Fongoh, Mba Chesami Stephen, Wilson Daiga Fokum, Chofor Fru John, Sabum James and Alobwede Frederick Ebong (now on self exile in U.S). who became front liners of SCNC organized a rally in the Victoria centenary stadium to explain what happened in Buea in the night of 30th December 1999 from where six (6) of them were arrested and whisked off to Yaounde and were incarcerated for 14 months in a sub human cell. Chief Ayamba had spend more than 520 days in detention in his struggle for Anglophone independence than any other Known activities and his deep sense of open mindedness and integrity had credited his leadership with Nfon Ngala Nfon vice chair of SCNC. Repression of the group increased significantly in 2001 when the organization was declared illegal by Biya’s government and clashes with police at a demonstration in Bamenda, Kumba, mamfe and Mutengene resulted in multiple deaths.[3] As a result, multiple international offices and branches of the SCNC have opened and engaged in political activities in the Diaspora with other sprinted groups like Ambazonia all fighting to end the marginalization of Anglophones Cameroon. In 2011 the BBC reported that more than 400 SCNC activist where arrested and detained in Buea, south west region of Cameroon in an anticipated event to mark 50 years of Southern Cameroon independence under the leadership of Mola Njoh Litumbe who was taken house arrest at 5 am another proponent of the Anglophone independent struggle. Following declarations he made on Equinox tv in a debate leading to the 2011 presidential elections where I was a guest with Mola on what the presidential Candidates will do to concretized the union between Anglophones and Francophones 50 years after the purported reunification. Pressure was mounted on La republic to acknowledged October 1st 1960 as the independence date of southern Cameroons, finally the Biya’s government did and issued a statement to that effect, unfortunately when Biya came to Buea in March 2014 in celebration of Anglophone independence , Anglophones in government frustrated the move and turn the celebration to a semi biya’s birthday instead of using the occasion to articulated the marginalization of Anglophones. The question now is, will the struggle die as its Leaders passes on, Certainly Not. Adieu Chief Ayamba , the struggle will live on!!! He who has done his best in his own time, has leave for all times. You are among the likes of Nelson Mandela, unfortunately your dream has not been achieved in your life time but it has built a foundation for the future of Anglophones struggle. Our deep condolence is with the family of Chief Ayamba. More info coming soon with contact and directives for those who wish to be part!!!

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Authorized Corruption on the Bamenda Ring road Crooks in Official Uniform and the Circuitous Toll Gate

( The Genuine Worries of Global Information Network, GLOBINET*)

I

mmorality, perversion and depravation are vices that any sane person or community will shun and stay away from, except the cousins of the evil one. These vices are all embodied in one word called corruption, a phenomenon that has long become the pseudonym of Cameroun. The long yearned-for ring road is so far at an advanced stage, covering the Baba 1, Babessi, Jakiri to River Bui (Kumbo) stretch. As if this silver linen in a thick cloud is irritating the authorities in hell, some nasty development has been noticed on the entire stretch from Bamenda to even Nkambe- poor old abandoned Nkambe. That development is called “Routiers” in the parlance understood in our Camerounaise context as Traffic Police!

The Ugly Picture:

Long before the ongoing work on the Bamenda Ring Road, passengers travelling on it paid for three things at a go: first, they paid for the bad state of the road, as the driver had to pay boys on the bad spots to push the cars; second was  paying to make up for what the driver will “bribe” the “Chefs Oficiers” on the way with; third, they paid for the normal travelling in the vehicle.

Let us take, for instance, a passenger travelling from Nkambe to Bamenda. The official rate we learn is cfa 3000, but what was being paid until recently was cfa 6000. Here is how the other cfa3000 is shared. From Nkambe to ndu, GLOBINET saw gendarme officers and police at two check points, then there is the so-called “Road Safety”. From ndu to jakiri, you have five check points, with two of those “Road Safety” guys. From Babessi to Bamenda, you have four control points and one “Road Safety” check point. In all, we have eleven (11) police/ gendarme checks, and four “Road Safety” points!

According to GLOBINET’s findings, at each check point, the driver doles out a thousand francs (cfa1000) to the police/gendarme controls (each force to take cfa500…while each of the “Road Safety” crooks get five hundred francs! This entails that the driver doles out eleven thousand francs to the supposed security guys in uniform, and two thousand francs to the “Road Safety” people. In which case, if a small five seater car loaded only at the regularized acceptable four passengers at cfa 3000, he will collect 12,000frs, fuel it and on return trip could end up with a balance of less than 7000frs…everything being equal.

So, what the driver resorts to is to double the load, double the fare, take seven passengers at 6000frs each, making 42,000frs. After giving out 13,000frs, to the highway authorized robbers in uniform, and fueling the car for say 17,000frs, he is left with 22,000frs from which the park boys squeeze out 7000frs as “camp”, with the Municipal council having less than 500frs. If he were to make an immediate return trip, he benefits as the “Control Security” will shut their eyes to him! In all these arrangements, the loser is the state and the travelers! Isn’t it?

Enter the ‘Notorious Routiers”

Just as travelers on the Ring Road were breathing an air of relief and raising their hands in thanksgiving to God when the fare dropped from 6000frs to 5000frs, Bamenda-Nkambe, the agents from hell have yet unleashed a bitter one once more-true to what Jesus Christ insinuates in John 10:10(a)- that the devil comes  to steal, kill and destroy. Otherwise, what accounts for the sudden introduction of these “luxurious” looking guys in smart neat uniforms called “Routiers” ( Traffic Police ). Hitherto, they had taken permanent abode at a dangerous spot on the rough climb from Bambili to Sabga…less than 500meters from another gang up at the Sabga Plateau. They come in as early as 5a.m. in two beautiful luxurious expensive cars and a huge state bike, sit in these cars smoking and sipping some expensive wine with a pencil a notebook and a whistle. The regular customers know the rules. Whether your car is in order or not, whether you are overloaded or not, you stop some ten meters away from them, step out of the car ( most times the driver tells the 7^th passenger to put his left foot  on the brakes!!!) runs over to the ‘officer’s car, and simply drop your thousand francs. If you pretend to have forgotten, they blow their whistle and you stop, and if luck fails you, you pay 2000frs!

Passengers have been grumbling and wondering why a state of law like Cameroon will allow this open vice to ensue. Last February, a 4-seater car was overloaded to its brim, with 8 passengers, and it passed this point, performed the usual diabolic ritual as well as with the other gang up at Sabga, and three kms away, somersaulted  killing four of the passengers on the spot, the other five occupants later perished in hospital simply because the driver had lost control  due to overload. CRTV’s  Morning Safari had called for these officers who were on duty that morning to be charged to court for having “closed their eyes” when this car passed their check points! Up to this day, nothing has been done, because these officers are obeying instructions from above!

Paradoxically, instead of punishing them or removing them from the road, the authorities have multiplied these check points on the Ring Road for no other purpose than extorting more monies from drivers…and by extension from the poor passengers. ( The Matthew Effect “ to those who have, more will be added…” Now, we can spot them, with brand new sophisticated bikes and cars at Nkar, Kakar and Binshua doing the same disastrous work like those at Bambili. They are arrogant, fierce and lousy. They understand two languages… French and a thousand francs!

One would have taken them to be some new toll gates on the newly constructed road, yet what of those in Ndu and Nkambe with yet very poor roads. And to think that drivers have oncemore added 500frs to make up for what they have to give to these fellows! Since they came around, how many vehicles have they intercepted for violating the highway code or being out of order to merit additional points on the Bui and Donga Mantung stretch. GLOBINET’s findings indicate that less than two transport vehicles are charged to court each year for one or other illegal motives. So, the one conclusion is that the state of Cameroun is openly endorsing bribery and corruption, yet pretending to fight them.

Addressing the Syndrome:

In 1998, the Roman Catholic Bishops of Cameroon stated that corruption has attained a suicidal level in our country. It is accepted today as a normal way of life, so much so that those who practice it no longer feel the slightest guilt. There is this girl at GBHS Bamenda who keeps coming late to school on Wednesdays and Fridays. When the Master of Discipline sought to get the reason why, she revealed that her father goes to “work” on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When he returns at night, she is forced to do the ironing and straightening of all the monies he squeezes from the drivers on the highway. She just fell short of calling the father a highway robber! She even said she had queried her dad as to whether he gives receipts to all those who give him the cash, and he replied that it is a deal from the top in Yaoundé and that if he doesn’t “work hard” to bring at least cfa500,000frs a day, he will not be eligible to be in that sector which he “bought” with money! She said her dad keeps 10% of what he collects and hands the rest to his immediate next boss who keeps his share and sends the rest up, until the Big Man in Yaoundé gets his own national share!

From the above analysis, we agree with the Durban Commitment that “while corruption bears with special cruelty upon the world’s most poor, it also debases human rights and destroys confidence in democracy and the legitimacy of governments”. 99.9 % have no respect for these guys on the roads, and worse still, they loath them like hell. GLOBINET notes that the factors that facilitate the spread of these horrendous activities of extortion, or petty corruption is greed and poverty. When these are presented to Mr. Head of State, he brings in the concept of “onus of proof”.

Isn’t it time we put in place an Ombudsman’s office to hear citizen’s complaints headed by Civil society Organizations like GLOBINET? It is time we adopt a “Zero Tolerance policy where officials caught in fraudulent activities are instantly dismissed or imprisoned. We recall that Botswana was rated the least corrupt African country, yet it is not the richest country in Africa. It is the nation with the best governance policy. It has an arsenal of measures very rigorous anti-corruption approach with an autonomous Directorate on corruption and Economic crime. It is GLOBINET’s wish that collective interest should always supersede individual interest. What is going on is undermining the government in the eyes of the people. We can only conclude that lack of morals and ear of the deity has been sacrificed at the shrine of material gains.  Like OAS’s Secretary General, Garira Cesar, GLOBINET holds that fighting against corruption is a fight for social justice, because the poor are corruption’s biggest victims. It is time we stop this phenomenon the best way we can, and we have to start by doing away with these obnoxious  and offensive acts of our so-called security guys on our highways.

·         Global Information Network (GLOBINET) is a Human Rights Communication and Information Unit, affiliated to the African Commission on Human and peoples’ Rights, Banjul, The Gambia. Its Regional Coordinator for West Africa is Martin Fon Yembe, Publisher of The Frontier Telegraph, Vice President of CJA-Cameroon.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Breaking News: Key Boko Haram Arm Traficker Napped in Cameroon

 A key of  Boko Haram has been in the Northern Region of Cameroon around the Waza Park state media reports say. According to the reports, the Abdallah was apprehended when he was carrying with huge sums of money estimated at above FCFA 7 million. The young man who claims he is working with Alhadj Mustafa was picked on June 16 by the elements of the legion of gendarmerie of the far North Cameroon. He is said to be a member of the Boko Haram sect involved in arms trafficking in the Northern Region. Besides, the young man was picked in possession of a cellphone which was ring at every second and he also had with him foreign currency (11 euros of 500 notes). Abdallah who formerly was selling fairly used cars played a major role in the release of the Italian Priest and Canadian Nun, according to Koaci news report. It is even alleged that the young man contacted the Speaker of the National Assembly to negotiate for the release of abducted missionaries. Unconfirmed sources say Abdallah has released the name of his collaborators in the Biya regime. Two high profile ministers are being cited in the sharing of the gombo and a Member of Parliament.

 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Dread Article 8:2 Looms over Njinikom Mayor, Chah Bam Terence

The fate of the mayor of Njinikom council in Boyo Division of the North West Region is now hanging on a balance reports The Sun Newspaper. According to the news report, Chah Bam Terence, after his election as mayor has abandoned his party activities and is instead concentrating on the activities of the estates of Bobe Yong Francis where he is also worker. It is alleged that things came to a head on Friday June 7, 2014 in Buea when the SDF established and took note of his absenteeism. The National Executive Council-NEC during roll call established that Chah Bam Terence was not only absent but did not even sent any of his deputies to represent him.

Though North West Regional chairman, Hon. Njong Evaristus tried to take an excuse on his behalf on grounds that he was involved with the GCE exams, it rather made matters worst. SDF National chairman who was visibly enraged and pounded his fists on the table said the attitude of Chah Bam Terence was totally unacceptable. Ni John Fru Ndi is also quoted to have said that long before NEC was announced, the mayor cum GCE invigilator knew there would be GCE exams. The fact that the mayor did not assign one of his deputies to attend the Buea NEC meeting was prove that he was not collaborating with his deputies, Fru Ndi fumed.

Ni John Fru Ndi went further to point out that ever since Chah Bam Terence was elected mayor, he (Chah Bam) has developed a lukewarm attitude towards the party, especially NEC. After requesting that the mayor be marked absent, Fru Ndi went on to remind that four of such absentees clearly spell out their consequences, which means self exclusion from the party, popularly known as article 8:2. Hear him “ if Yong has died and the mayor is interested in seeing his business continue, he should also know that the SDF must continue, and we are not going to tolerate any such further indiscipline”.

Several days after the NEC meeting, sources inside the Njinikom council disclosed that Chah Bam Terence who is senior staff of PCHS Bamenda, part of the Yong Estates is already running the council like a boarding master, who would storm in at any time damning anybody who tries to call him to order.

The mayor,  the top council source is also quoted by newspaper report to have said that the mayor doesn’t collaborate with any of his deputies; talk less of other council staff. The most recent is rumours that the mayor contacted taxation officials to step up taxes on liquor in his municipality. Tension is now said to be brewing in the municipality over the issue. Allegations abound that the mayor dolled out FCFA 3 million to the SDF to grasp the top job without knowing that there is no money in the council. Yet it has emerged that the Njinikom council is heavily indebted and majority of these debts were accrued by the out-gone mayor. However, the SDF is particularly keen on the developments in the Njinikom council because of the dark memories of the 2014 senatorial elections which about 12 SDF councilors allegedly received colossal sums of money to vote for the CPDM. When senator Francis Nkwain who hails from Njinikom came out publicly to thank the SDF councilors during his homecoming for sending him to the senate. A thing the SDF has never taken it lightly. Reasons why party hierarchy has kept a very close watch over happenings in Njinikom for fear of the unknown.

With mayor Chah Bam Terence again on scan, fears are that this may be the beginning of another cataclysm in the area. Tongues are still waging as to why tension between the new SDF mayor and his party should begin brewing very soon after his predecessor, Chiatoh (alias Jesus Christ) was chased from the position for the same antiparty behavior. According to the news report, when contacted the mayor of Njinikom Cah Bam Terence said he is new is the office and did not know that mayors can delegate people to NEC. “I have pleaded with NEC. The chairman even called me to work with some fons. You know Pa Yong just died and I can’t abandon him; education and GCE is also for development”. To him, it is his detractors that are at work, “I know my enemies are also behind this”, he concluded.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Member of Parliament Beats-up Own Driver over FCFA 500

Hon. Njong Evaristus

Chronicle newspaper has reported that drivers of some SDF MPs of the Cameroon National Assembly held an emergency meeting on June 11, 2014 over what the paper described as a reunion to seek ways of avenging the punches rained on one of them by Hon. Njong Evaristus Ndim, SDF MP for Boyo. According to Chronicle while SDF MPs were humiliating the visiting Hon. Guillaume Soro, Cote D’Ivoire House Speaker, drivers on the other side were looking for ways to humiliate Hon. Njong Evaristus, who is the Secretary of the SDF Parliamentary Group. The story goes that Andrew Achou, driver to Hon. Njong returned with his boss from Pinyin and they car they used was extremely dirty. Andrew Achuo requested boss (Hon. Njong) to give him money so that he (Andrew) could take the car to the washing point. It is alleged that Hon. Njong angrily shouted at him, tasking him to wash the car at home. When the driver went behind the house to get a bucket, some carpenters working there asked him what the matter was. As the driver was trying to explain to them what happened, Hon. Njong emerged and asked what was going on. As Andrew Achou (the driver) tried to explain the situation, he poked his finger at the driver and rained blows on his mouth, wounding it and blood was oozing out. It is alleged that the driver dropped the bucket and decided to report the incident to the SDF National chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi. While still on the bike, the MP called and ordered him back and Fru Ndi was not informed of the injustice. Allegations abound that Hon. Njong is noted for hiring and firing drivers at will during each session. Besides, it is also aired that he has used several drivers without paying them as well. Worst of all, it is even alleged that Hon. Njong doesn’t provide food and accommodation to his drivers, though he as bureau member collects FCFA 62.000 from the National Assembly for his driver. During the meeting, the drivers collectively asked Njong’s driver whether he had eaten and when he said no, one of the drivers pulled out FCFA 1000 and handed to him. More so, it is alleged that the drivers asked Njong’s driver to hand the keys back to him and resign. They equally resolved that they were going to discourage any other driver from driving the MP. One driver is said to have aired that Hon. Njong is a product of political mistakes, who has no base as he represents people who never voted for him. While others suggested that the issue should be reported to the SDF National chairman, but one driver rejected it on grounds that Ni John Fru Ndi is already tired of talking to Hon. Njong and Hon. Nintcheu on the ill treatment of their workers but they have not changed. He added that the National chairman and other MPs treat their drivers and workers with respect but Hon. Njong sees self as a demi-god. One driver is even quoted by Chronicle to have joked that Njong tells everyone who cares to listen that he is the second in command in the SDF. Another asked whether the Honourable MP actually knows the constitution of the SDF.  However, Chronicle newspaper concluded that when Hon. Njong was contacted to tell his own side of the story, he as usual evasively said that he was in a meeting and will call later, a thing he never did. (A suivre) 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

CRTV Wages War with Private Media over Awards

By Fai Cassian

Edginess has reached it crescendo in Bamenda, regional capital of the North West over what impressionists have described as an unbolt hostility between the state-owned media and the private media. It was during the maiden (2^nd edition) of CRTV Bamenda Youth Forum Youth Promoter Award(s) for Excellence that the self-proclaimed indomitable lions of the audio-visual finally exploded from the bubble to dish out heretical media lessons to the private media. Private media journalists who took the pains to attend the CRTV Bamenda awards ceremony at Azam Hotel on June 14, 2014 made sense of life in the bubble when Nji Joseph, personal representative of North West Governor in his speech called on the private press to emulate the example of CRTV Bamenda. Reddened by this avowal, some journalists of the private press stormed out in anger yet could not hide emotions from the bubbling-like turn of phrase. Yet, a critical judgment analysis of the event is pulling down the dogged bubbling dogma from the upsurge failure attempt to spray over the fact that the most humble way to beg is through “appeal letters”. After all, it is not and had never been fashioned to make money, someone whose name I have just forgotten whispered in an official speech. If that was not daylight drama, nothing exceptional justifies proviso how Dr. Mrs. Linda Yang picked “Woman of the Year” in the opium den of remembrance, and the opportunity of pleasure again for getting married to the Prime Minister, Head of Government. A mark of recognition worth emulating for any young girl in search of a wider possibility in today’s Cameroon and of course maybe the likes of Hon. Dong Larry-hills who got one for political emancipation.  Apart, SHUMAS’ Ndzerem Stephen who was voted “Man of the Year” has bagged several awards from many private media organs, Ndansi Elvis Nukam, NUDP National Youth President who was voted Most Exemplary Youth is also winner of several others. 
However, it is regrettable that everyone has his/her own way of creating from other’s creativity, but finding ways to say it correctly is more than half the battle. Recycling like CRTV Bamenda is worthless of emulation. 

“It is pathetic that CRTV Bamenda wants those who have been organizing awards of excellence for the past fifteen years to emulate from them”, one journalist was heard expressing self in anger. Implicitly, each columnist and radio programme should embark in awards of excellence to emulate CRTV Bamenda. To others, it is easier to assail and obliterate an act of creation than to create one. Questions as to why Nuck Protus, the King of Youths and initiator of the CRTV Bamenda talk-show youth forum was conspicuously absent abounds high. “Is that the model they want us to emulate?” another journalist questioned. Expressionists were quick to question whether the private press was called up to emulate such a bad example where creativity has no loyalty, could not be recognized and or patronized, yet hook-winged. A school of thought holds that the youth forum youth promoter award (not awards) was a mark of displaced priorities for CRTV management. The viciousness of renaming the 2^nd edition as the maiden edition as indicated above stamps out clearly that the greatness,  which means rewriting what has been written in poor handwriting is worthwhile.  The Eye is aware that Amadou Valmouke, CRTV General Manager as observed may be trimmed to measure as the bubble explosion has ignited infuriated tones of unguided missiles.

(To be continued) 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Euphoria in Misaje As NUDP National Youth President, Ndansi Elvis is Honoured by Highest Secret Traditional Group

 The euphoria was total, the fanfare was beyond human understanding as the highest secret authority in the Nchaney land honoured NUDP National. The news sweep Misaje today, June 12, at about 8am when NUDP National President received the notification from the Mabu of Nkanchi Palace. Ndansi Elvis according to what we gathered will be admitted into the kwifon cycle today. Pics of the announcement 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

SDF Made Mistake By Walking Out on Guillaume Soro-Dr Susungi

 By Dr. Susungi-Courtesy (chiefsusungi.com)

Dr Susungi

Let me start by telling you a true story.  In 1996 Chairman John Fru Ndi travelled through Abidjan to Mali to attend some socialist meeting there with President Alpha Oumar Konare and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (who is now the President) (both of them socialists).  On his way back he got stuck at the airport in Abidjan because he did not have a visa to Cote d’Ivoire.  While killing time at the airport he was noticed by an Ivorian policeman because he was wearing his trademark traditional dress.  When the Chairman explained his visa status to the policeman, the officer reported the matter to his boss.  Before long, the matter had been transmitted through channels to the highest ranks of the police to the Minister of the Interior and finally to President Henri Konan Bédié.

President Bédié reacted by giving instructions that the Chairman should be given a visa and brought into Abidjan as a guest of the Ivorian government.  He was lodged at Hotel Ivoire.  Before long the Chairman was brought to President Bédié’s home in Cocody where he was received by the Ivorian President.

During his meeting “en tête a tête”, with Chairman John Fru Ndi, the Ivorian President called Laurent Gbagbo ( at that time President of the FPI) and said: “Hey Laurent, j’ai  ton ami  Fru Ndi avec moi dans mon bureau.  Je te l’envoie après”.    In spite of the fact that Henri Konan Bédié and Laurent Gbagbo were political adversaries, the strange camaraderie between them illustrates the fact that politics in Cote d’Ivoire was still being played at a certain level of parliamentary honour.

I speak as a witness to these events and to the fact that the FPI and the SDF are close political parties and that the relationship between the John Fru Ndi and Laurent Gbagbo has been close.   President Laurent Gbagbo came to power on 26 October 2000 following the presidential elections which were organized by Robert Guéi.  But the traumatic events which were to trail  Cote d’Ivoire for ten years started with the attempted coup of 19 September 2002 which gave rise to a rebellion that resulted in the country being split into two.  There is no question about the fact that Mr. Soro Guillaume Kigbafori was a central part of that rebellion.

Following a series of conferences and peace talks in various African cities, a Union Government was formed at the head of which Mr. Soro Guilllaume was named Prime Minister and head of a government by President Laurent Gbagbo himself and he occupied that position from 4 April 2007 to 4 December 2010.   This is the government composition which went to the contested presidential elections of November 2010 following which Soro Guillaume resigned as Prime Minister in the ensuing electoral dispute.  After Alassane Ouattara was sworn in as President on 6 May 2011, Mr. Soro Guillaume resumed the position of Prime Minister which he occupied till 13 March 2012 under Alassane Ouattara.

It is dangerous for us as foreigners (non-Ivorians) to go back to the question of who won and who lost that election of November 2010 because it is a historical fact that the electoral dispute was finally adjudicated  only after the French army pounded the residence of Ivorian President for over two weeks until President Laurent Gbagbo was taken out alive on 6 April 2011.   He was finally sent to the Hague to face charges at the ICC after the current President Alassane Ouattara had been sworn-in as the President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.

Subsequent parliamentary elections resulted in the emergence of Mr. Soro Guillaume Kigbafori as the new President of the National Assembly.  It is very dangerous for us as non Ivorians to go back to labeling anyone as “rebel”.  I need not remind you that for a long time certain countries called Nelson Mandela a “terrorist” because of what he had to do at a certain stage of his life.  This brings us to the question as to the moral and political justification of the position of the SDF in response to the invitation to the National Assembly in Cameroon.

The Visit of Soro Guillaume to Cameroon

I am of the opinion that the SDF made a mistake in taking such a public position against the visit of Soro Guilllaume in the capacity of the President of the Ivorian National Assembly and instructing its deputies to walk out on the speech of the Ivorian leader.  To characterize Soro Guillaume as a “Chief Rebel” is a mistake.  He is now the President of the National Assembly and an integral part of constituted authority in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.   This does not call on anyone to like him or to love him.  It calls on everyone to acknowledge and to respect the office because Cote d’Ivoire is a nation that is above Soro Guillaume, Alassane Ouattara, Konan Bédié and Laurent Gbagbo or any other person who might,  at one time or another,  be called upon by political circumstances to occupy any of the constitutional offices of the land.

It was not necessary for the SDF NEC to pass a resolution distancing itself from the visit of Soro Guillaume to the National Assembly.  There are certain political situations which call for a response at a statesman level rather than at a streetsman level. The SDF could have intervened with Cavaye Djibrill the President of the National Assembly to negotiate for a private visit to the Chairman by Soro Guillaume as a condition for the SDF MPs to remain in the Assembly Hall during Soro Guillaume’s speech.    This visit would have enabled Mr Soro Guillaume to brief the Chairman John Fru Ndi on the purpose of his visit and it would have also given the Chairman the opportunity to let Mr. Soro Guilllaume know what the SDF thinks about the events that took place in Cote d’Ivoire.  It would have been a very suitable occasion for the SDF to call for the release of all political prisoners in Cote d’Ivoire and to summon the Ivorian authorities to do more for reconciliation.  If all of this had been done, Mr. Soro Guillaume would have left Cameroon with a completely different view of Cameroonian democracy and the SDF would have emerged the real beneficiary of the visit of Soro Guillaume to Cameroon. Cameroon/ Cote d’Ivoire relations would have been put at a completely different level.

But the SDF decision has put them in a corner and they have emerged gaining nothing out of their approach in handling this event.   In fact they are the big losers.  I can state with full authority that Laurent Gbagbo will be of the opinion that the SDF made a mistake in handling the matter the way they did.   If consulted, Laurent Gbagbo would have encouraged Chairman John Fru Ndi to receive Soro Guillaume who is a mere 42 year old young man, holding a very important position in his country.  He wants to reach out and talk to people in a country like Cameroon where most senior positions in the country are still held by much older people.  That is why more and more Ivorian leaders are coming to Cameroon.  If the Chairman had remembered the way that President Henri Konan Bédié received him in 1996, I am sure that he would have handled the Soro Guillaume visit in a different way.

How to repair the damage

There are certain mistakes which are difficult to correct and we should strive to avoid making them.   But any mistake can be corrected once it is acknowledged that it was a mistake.  The SDF needs to move quickly to repair the damage.  If anyone is interested in knowing how to repair the damage, let them contact me.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)