Biya in Bd’a in a “matter of weeks”

Biya in Bd’a in a “matter of weeks” - official

Written by Eugene N. Nforngwa

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 13:52

BAMENDA—After more than half a year’s wait, President Paul Biya will finally make his trip to Bamenda in the coming weeks, says a senior official who says he has been briefed about the closeness of the visit.

As with most presidential trips, the exact date is only expected to be made public at the last minute but the official says local organisers have been told to wrap up preparations in the coming days.

July 1, one of the days marked by the Cameroon armed forces every year looks like a possible date, even though security operatives stationed here for months have received shifting time frames.

Meantime, several government officials have arrived in Bamenda over the past weeks to ascertain the level of readiness, including ensuring that the city’s power supply would be working well and that hotels are in shape.

“We are certain that it is now only a matter of weeks,” said the official. “I can’t give you the date, but know it would be soon.” Several elite involved with preparations admit things are heating up.

Keeping the date wrapped up is part of security measures to ensure the head of state is safe, says a security operative, in a region where he has received the least percentage of votes since the return of multi-party politics in 1990 and where separatist tendencies are popular.

Meantime, North West elite have raised tens of million francs to mobilize civilian turnout for the event to mark 50 years of the Cameroon army, which has been brought here to showcase the unity of a country divided by history and culture.

“It would be better than the last time [November 2009, when the PM visited the city following his appointment],” said another official, who is aware of fundraising efforts led by the secretary of state for mines, industries and technological development, Fuh Calistus.

“We have enough money to put up a big show,” the official said, adding that a delegation from Yaounde and Douala, to be led by Mr Fuh and liitoral governor Fai Yengo Francis would be in the South West region in the coming days to fundraise and ensure massive participation of North Westerners resident there.

Some CFA5 billion has been invested in upgrading the city in readiness for the visit, which would be the fifth by the head of state here since he came to power, but some elite have called the amount paltry and the road and streets repairs largely insufficient.
The army plans to perform foot parades and air manoeuvres from the former Bamenda airport, which had since been converted into a military base. Thousands of troops are expected in the region for the event.