Anglophone Crisis:"The Reconstruction Should Be Holistic"- Paul Achobong Tells Paul Tasong.

Martial Gnoukapasi.

Mayor Achobong delivering his speech.

"We of the North West in one way or the other, individually and collectively in our silence and indifference, in our utterances, in our actions and inactions contributed to the anglophone crisis"

Pioneer Mayor of the city of Bamenda Paul Tembang Achobong made the above remark in a strong worded speech, delivered Monday June 22nd, on the occasion of the launching of the awareness and sensitization phase of the reconstruction and development plan of the NW and SW, born by a conflict that have seen lives lost, properties damaged and people displaced since 2016 in the country.

"Some trade unionists, who aspire for better days, little did they know that they'll become victims of this vicious circle. Today we cannot count the lives lost, buildings destroyed, jobs lost, family displaced, schools closed, businesses crumbled etc. Here we are at the crossroad, looking at the sorrows and bitterness of yesterday. Looking up to the hope and comfort of tommorow. A sound of hatred seems to have severed the bond that held us together as one strong region.".

"..Now they're choices to be made, as the time and days of lamenting and mourning on the calamities of yesterday and seeking for avenues of revenge are long over"

"..It's time to strengthen, comfort, forgive and reconcile ourselves and look into the future with hope and expectations"

"As for me the city mayor and the people of Bamenda, we have choosen to forgive one another".

NW Governor (L) Minister Tasong ( R)

Mayor Achobong told the minister that there was need for the reconstruction program to take into  consideration the following;

- The plight of the teachers, especially those of the mission schools and lay private sector that have gone for months and years with little or no salaries. They too need construction.

- Provision of adequate fund for the rehabilitation of the Bamenda municipal stadium as the PWD elite one football club goes international next season, regrettably without a training ground at the moment,

- The urgent need for work to begin on the Bamenda-Babadjou highway which has become a nightmare for travelers making their way in and out of the region using this stretch.

Mayor Paul Achobong reiterated that if nothing is done about the road, the region may be cut off from the rest of the country with the rains intensifying.