BY WIFAH JENNYHANS NDE
The newly installed Divisional Officer for Mbengwi Subdivision Fouda Etaba Benoit Nicaise has been largely challenged to fit into the good shoes of the out gone D.O Aminkeng Charles Formin who in his close to 7 years as sub divisional boss for Mbengwi managed to transform the area from a ‘large village’ to a semi-urban area.
This was during the installation ceremony of Fouda Etaba Benoit Nicaise appointed by presidential decree number 2017/239 0f May 22, 2017 as D.O for Mbengwi to replace the former who has been called up to other duties last Friday, June 9, 2017, presided at by the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo, Absolom Mono Woloa at the esplanade of Mbengwi.
New Mbengwi DO
During the installation ceremony, the SDO charged the 34-year-old civil administrator to do his job according to decree number 2008/377 0f November 12, 2008 laying down the powers and duties of heads of administrative units as well as the organization of functions and services, other laws and regulations that regulate different organs while also bearing in mind the vision of the Head of State for the Nation.
In her welcome address, the mayor of Mbengwi, Mme Etebe Beatrice outlined a long list of achievements recorded by the out gone mayor among which were; the rapid increase in the construction of houses, resolved land disputes and famer-grazer conflicts which are rampant in Mbengwi, creation of toilets and urinaries in public places, promoted entry of township taxis from Bamenda to Mbengwi, created The Mbengwi Association of Service Heads, a social group which brings together administrators to work in synergy. Achievements which earned him the nick name ‘Don Pere’.
In his installation speech, the SDO of Momo corroborated the mayor in her long lists of achievements of the outgoing D.O and added that Mr. Aminkeng equally successfully coordinated the first senatorial, municipal and legislative elections in 2013 without hitches.
As the SDO continued with his installation speech he entreated the new D.O to uphold those positive legacies of his predecessor and do his job with his conscience, respect for the laws of the land and without fear or favour.
He called on the new D.O to stage a stiff fight against contraband goods such as the ‘funge fuel’ which Mbengwi serves as route for such transactions, represent the state in all acts of development, harness and promote social peace and harmony, continue to encourage the spirit of dialogue among villages in land dispute in the sub division among others.
In military a display, the baton of command was then transferred from Mr. Aminkeng Charles to Mr. Fouda Etaba Benoit Nacaise as new D.O of Mbengwi sub division led by SDO, Absolom Monono. This was closely followed by salutation of the forces of law and order present in the sub division and members of the constituted core by the newly installed D.O for the first time in his new capacity with orders from Commandant Tchengang Theophile. Then followed a military march pass.
Before his appointment as D.O, Mr. Fouda served as first assistant SDO for Momo since 2014.
The event was graced by the colourful presence of traditional dance groups from three parts of Cameroon which included; The Barakne Mokonge dance group from the rainbow village in Mbengwi, the Arsel dance group from the Centre region and the Manyu dance group from the Southwest region in display of the rich cultural diversity of Cameroon.
At the end of the ceremony The SUN caught up with Barrister Ben Muna, Northwest elite who hails from Mbengwi and he gave his expectations stating that the new DO like every administrator should pride the interest of the people over his. “I think anybody who holds a public office should only know that the people come first. When you are put to occupy a public office, the aim is to serve the people and not to be served. My advice to this young D.O who has just been installed is, he should remember this in the Bible, that Jesus said when you are a leader, you are there to serve not to be served”, the legal luminary expanded.
Asked what he had to tell the Mbengwi people as far as the present socio-political dispensation of Cameroon is concerned. The senior barrister at law and former leader of a legalized political party strongly condemned the acts of burning private and public property, threats and calls for ghost towns by overzealous individuals. He said Cameroonians in general should love their neighbours as themselves and that no matter how bad today may seem there should be hope for a better future through genuine dialogue not destruction and threats.
The day was culminated in feasting organized by both the out gone D.O and the newly installed alongside their families and loved ones.