By Guest writer
The Follow-Up Committee for the Implementation of Recommendations of the Major National Dialogue (MND) has adopted new guidelines aimed at enhancing the economic rejuvenation of the North West and South regions. The resolutions were adopted in Buea on Friday August 11, 2023 during the 5th session of the committee chaired by Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute.
In the resolutions adopted was the discouragement of the self-destructive attitude that has been adopted by the population thus inflicting hardship on communities, through falsehoods and passive cooperation with security services. Members agreed that actions will be taken to ensure perpetrators of violence are uncovered.
The objective of this resolutions was to further enhance the peace process and the return of normalcy in the restive regions. This will also intensify the effective implementation of economic recovery measures so as to consolidate the considerable progress already registered.
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute used the meeting to express satisfaction with the contribution of the civil society and other participants to ensure the return of peace.
“This particular meeting focused essentially on the economic recovery of the North West and South West Regions. We had speakers from across the board from these two regions; economic operators, big businesses, small businesses, development agencies and the conclusion which we arrived at is that a lot of water has gone under the bridge, in other words a lot has been done,” the Prime Minister said.
The committee resolved to engage community-based approaches in the identification studies, award and execution of projects to boost social cohesion and community fellowship. The members have called on local authorities and development agencies to work in collaboration with competent government institutions to ease the realization of social projects such as the opening up of farm-to-market roads, and plantation roads for the benefit of smallholder farmers.
Ministries and institutions have been tasked to take appropriate measures to ensure the signing of more enabling instruments for the complete transfer of power and resources to the Regional and local authorities. The regional assemblies of the North West and South West regions have particularly been urged to further exploit existing legal text within the spectrum of the special status to complement the actions of the state and propose viable development initiatives that promote a people-centered approach to peace and development.
Members also called for the seeking of possible ways to increase budgetary allocations to entities involved in social and economic development at local levels. This, the follow up committee said, is vital in improving the livelihoods of people at the grassroots heat. They urged those charged with the reconstruction plan to further the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure for the benefit of the population.
In the spirit of building unity, members also called for continuous dialogue with all stakeholders for the return of peace and an enabling environment for trade and economic revival. The Follow-Up Committee members also prescribed actions to counter misinformation and propaganda that instills fear in the minds of the population. They advised the state to also communicate effectively on the brave and sacrificial actions of the defense and security forces in contributing to the return of peace.
Calls for the creation of security posts where possible to guarantee the safety of plantation workers and local cocoa farmers were also made. The General Manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC)
“I am optimistic that, that will enhance our capacity to be more performing in the sense that, if we look at recent past we have had situations where when we succeed to get back our workers to get back to the plantations, when they work during the day, they come back to their residential areas in the night, they are attacked. With the presence of such installations, I think it is going to be an enhancement to the security of our workers and our plantations and this will be a boaster to our production.” Frankline Njie Ngoni Said
There was also a strong call particularly for religious leaders to continue dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders to further build an atmosphere of peace. Participants have encouraged economic operators and the population to continue working together so as to ensure a common front against the destructive tendencies of enemies of peace.