The upper and lower villages of the Bonavada area, in Buea Sub-Division, now have their 22.5 cubic-metre-reservoir of potable water. Australian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Ian McConville, was in Buea 22 February to officially inaugurate the project that received 21.000 Australian dollar assistance from the Australian Government.
Ian McConville told the people he was happy with the diligent execution of the project in record time and that he saw for himself that it was a pressing need for the Bonavada people. The High Commissioner was shown round the water catchments in Koke-Bwiteva and Sambe-Bwitingi. He was equally taken to the Water storage tank construction site at Bonakanda Village. At the ceremonial ground in Bonakanda, High Commissioner Ian McConville was crowned as “Mola Njie Jongele” meaning the development pathfinder by the traditional rulers and dignitaries of the area. Chief Njie Mokosa of Bwitingi Village delivered a welcome address after the Buea Mayor had assured the august visitor of the legendary hospitality of the Buea people.
The Bonakanda water project was initiated by the local NGO, FAAFNET in collaboration with the Bonavada community and realised between November 2010 and February 2011. Traditional authorities of the area said the water will serve over 900 people. Although the pump is still to be bought and installed, the Bonavada water project shall end up serving the entire 13 villages of the BONAVADA with an umbrella association created in 1995.
The people expressed appreciation to the Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles, for leading the Buea Council to sponge some of the bills. Mayor Mbella was on hand to assure that the Australian High Commission was given the dignified prototocol he deserved. Buea’s Divisional Officer, Abraham Chekem, made one of his first outings, barely weeks after his installation in Buea, by accompanying the High Commissioner to the Bonavada area.
