Governor Okalia appeals for return of population to fill ’empty’ Lebialem

Mr Okalia expressed shock and disappointment at the scanty nature of Menji, the headquarters of Lebialem division in the South West region.

He wondered why the people, civil servants and elites decided to abandon their Division of origin when President Paul Biya had given them good structures.

“As you can see the city of Menji, the headquarters of Lebialem has become a ghost town,” Bernard Okalia Bilai said.

The Governor was speaking on Tuesday August 2, 2022 after installing the new SDO of the Division, Ambang Fabian Kah, recently appointed to that position.

He was formerly serving as Divisional Officer of Alou in the same administrative units.

Unlike previous years, there was no population to cheer the new SDO, Menji was silent.

This place should not be a stone in the four of the people
“The elites should come back to assist administrators. No matter the courage and engagement of the SDO and his collaborators, they cannot do anything without the people.” He appealed.

Aside the people fleeing from the ongoing armed conflict, civil servants sent to Lebialem either resign, ask for transfer or abandon their work unit

“This is a case where a whole head quarter has been abandoned by the population and civil servants ,” he lamented.

One of the key combatant who ruled Lebialem, Oliver Lekeaka is dead. The Government is confident that his death will push the people to return to their villages. But was Oliver Lekeaka alias Field Marshal the only fighter in Lebialem? Difficult to answer.