West Region: Governor salutes PIB execution despite challenging road situation

By Stephen TADAHA

Despite several road accidents along roads connecting the West region to the rest of teh country, that have left many killed, and others injured, Governor Awa Fonka Augustine saluted the evolution of road projects in the West and has said the Region tops the chart nationwide in terms of the execution rate of projects under the public investment budget. The population is hoping that these projects will include dangerous road stretches that have become death traps.

The Governor made the statement during a second semester administrative and security coordination meeting for the year 2023 of the region which rounded up in Baham, Upper Plateaux division on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

During the meeting which gathered all 8 Senior divisional officers of the West, the administrative boss also expressed satisfaction with the evolution of road projects in the region especially with the Koupa Matapit stretch in the Noun division, the disengagement stretch of the West agricultural basin, the Babadjou – Bamenda stretch whose works are estimated at over 77% and the evolution of works on the Petit Nkam stretch in Bandjoun, Koung-Khi division.

“Taking of development, there are many roads which are constructed to facilitate the transportation of farm-to-market products like the Koupa Matapit stretch, the disengagement stretch of the West agricultural basin, and the Babadjou- Bamenda road just to name a few. These roads open the Region’s development doors” said Governor Awa Fonka Augustine.

With an execution rate of 69%, it was also revealed that the West region is the first nationwide in terms of the execution of projects under the public investment budget.

The security sector also has a challenge “We recorded some abduction, robberies, and rape cases during the last months but we should call on the population to work in collaboration with administrative and security authorities so as to contain the threats.” He added.

Governor Awa Fonka also saluted the role played by traditional authorities in the development of the Region. He however did not forget to mention the Chieftaincy saga reigning in Bagam, the second-class chiefdom in the Bamboutos division. The Governor reiterated the position of the administration which he said knows only one legitimate ruler who is the person who was chosen by kingmakers and presented to the administration. He used the opportunity to condemn the barbarism that disrupted the contact tour of Fongtendop Zossie Dieudonne last weekend and reaffirmed that security forces will relent in no effort to ensure that peace reigns in the village while waiting for the final decision that will be taken by the Minister of territorial administration. But he did not mention or name who killed the civilians, as it is alleged that government forces shot two dead.

This session was held at a moment when the people of Bamenyam in Galim subdivision were going through a nightmare with the incursion of separatists which left 9 deaths at the market square.