The population usually finds in visits of members of government golden opportunities to table their problems.

Even though most of the problems presented during such visits ably translate their needs, it is sometimes surprising to find in the package issues that are far-fetched and that do not respond to the aspirations of the population.

The tour by the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development of some regions in the country, including the South West and West Regions was occasion for Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi to discuss some of these issues making sure that the problems raised by the people through their elected representatives truly reflect their desires. In effect, a discussion, which incidentally ended with the identification of such people-oriented projects hammered on the methods of identifying projects and programmes that, can ably satisfy the needs of the people at the base.

This, in effect, is a novelty brought in by Minister Nganou Djoumessi; knowing how to identify and present problems. The whole concept must have emanated from the past experiences whereby people put aside real projects that can benefit the majority of the population and instead present those that satisfy a few individuals. Cases abound where the whole village may lack water whereas an individual by virtue of his or her political weight is basking in it. The people of one region in Cameroon have never forgotten the situation where a political bigwig was said, rightly or wrongly to have installed pipe borne water for his cattle whereas the population is languishing in drought.

The interesting thing about the Minister’s visit is that, he was accompanied by other development partners who equally had the task of explaining to the population what it requires for their departments to finance projects at the base. And so, topics on project financing, partnership contracts, financing of council projects and decentralisation were tackled during the conf ab. The results that might have come out of these discussions will certainly act as a big spur both for the people and the administration.