The North West Regional capital did not only have the singular privilege to celebrate 50 years of the army, but a historic and golden opportunity to grab some of its long standing yearnings, notably the University of Bamenda. The phrase announcing the creation of the University of Bamenda remains indelible in the minds and lips of the people of this region. Even the dullest North Westerner will cite it; “That is why I am pleased to announce to you that I have decided to create the University of Bamenda.”
The official visit of the Head of State, President Paul Biya to Bamenda, making it his most visited region, came on the heels of high expectations from the population. The President himself could not be indifferent, taking into consideration certain factors. Bamenda, as he stated during his first visit in 1983, is his second home. Bamenda is the birth place of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), the political party for which he is Chairman. With the introduction of the multiparty politics in the early 90s, Bamenda became the heart of the opposition. The North West Region was so far considered wrongly or rightly by some as the most neglected part of the country. All these factors made the President’s visit peculiar.
Daunting Decisions
The visit of the Head of State and the announcement of certain development-oriented decisions have ushered in a completely new spirit and way of looking at issues in the North West Region. This, certainly couldn’t have been otherwise, with the region having in its pocket, a university, an upgraded Higher Teachers’ Training College and the creation of one new Higher Teachers’ Technical College, programmed tarring of the Ring Road, installation of thermal plants to boost energy production and programming of the construction of the Menchum Hydroelectric Power. It couldn’t have been different in the face of studies to improve the health situation in the region through the construction of the Bamenda Referral Hospital and the Regional Centre for Medical Radiology announced for this year.
All these sounded so good that many, especially politicians, described them as electoral promises. But from the look of things, the reverse was going to happen. Barely six days after, President Biya signed the decree not only creating the University of Bamenda, Bambili but upgrading the Higher Teachers’ Training College (ENS) Annex to two schools, one general and the other, technical, placing all under the University of Bamenda. Two interim Directors have been appointed in the two schools and all are ensuring the effective takeoff of the University. All that it takes for a university to be implanted at its Bambili site is being put in place. In terms of infrastructure, a lot has been done. Presently, tenders have been launched for the construction of hostels to take care of students. The University already has 112 hectares of certified land, according to Prof. Gwanfogbe Mathiew, Interim Director of ENS Bambili.
Action time
In the same vein, the construction of the Ring Road has effectively started even though the population may not be seeing heavy duty engines yet on the road. In effect, the first phase of the road to run from Ndop to Kumbo, covering 60.5 kilometers is under construction. SATOM-SOGEA company and ECTA-BTP the control company, are all at work preparing equipment and making last-minute arrangements. The project which will cost FCA 22 billion has an execution period of 24 months beginning from January 31, 2011 when orders were given for work to begin.
The referral Hospital Project, even though announced as studies, is moving at lightning speed. According to the Governor of the North West Region Abakar Ahamat, two plots have been given for the hospital and the third one is about to be offered. The administration will choose one of the three based on certain technical factors.
Considering the far reaching impact that all the projects will have in the life of the people of the North West Region, in particular and to Cameroon as a whole, Cameroon Tribune will this week publish a series of special reports, notably on the University of Bamenda, the Ring Road, the Referral Hospital and the Menchum Hydroelectric Project, in order to situate the milestone covered and the challenges ahead.
