By Noela Ebob Bisong
The Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux has said peace can only be achieved if everyone puts hand on deck to ensure its existence, sustenance and survival. The Fako boss echoed his view point while addressing workers and other administrators who turned out to commemorate the 133rd edition of the International Labour Day, on May 1, 2019. The event took place at the Manga William Avenue in Limbe, under the theme “Worker’s Protection: Vector of Social Justice and Decent Work in Cameroon”.
According to Engamba Ledoux, achieving peace is a collective effort, “Therefore, we must all have in mind as priority objective the conditions for the return of peace; peace in families, peace in work places, peace in public sectors, peace in neighbourhoods and especially peace in our hearts. Of course, this peace will not fall from the sky; it must be a collective concern. I therefore invite each of us to contribute his/her own effort towards the construction of the process. If we take it with determination, courage and patriotism, then it will be achieved”, the SDO stated.
During the event, workers’ Trade Unions, in the likes of SNEGBEUFC, FAWU, DISAWOFA and FADUTU, who had been given their place of honour as usual, all boycotted the event, as none of the Trade Union’s representatives were present to either welcome the SDO, or deliver their power-pack speeches, which in time past always got the applause of many. Their absence of course was noticed and felt, as the SDO remarked, during the opening statements of his keynote address that “Even though trade union leaders have not thought it necessary to deliver a speech, I am aware of the problems that affect workers and I can assure you that efforts will be made at all levels to find a lasting solution”, Engamba said, but held that “But that must not prevent the worker from achieving results”.
The Trade Unionists however maintained that the time for speeches is long gone, and what they need right now is concrete action, action which will go ahead to curb the ailing situation of especially the giant Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC).
As a matter of fact, the SDO went on to note that the security concerns facing the region are “gradually leading us to an economic disaster marked by significant loss of jobs, the closing of many establishments, destruction of many infrastructures, assassinations, mutilations, abductions, threats to workers and their families, in short, a social malaise coupled with a deep economic crisis”.
Proud that the grandstand was jammed full to capacity, Engamba Ledoux went poetic, to describe Fako as a division made warm by the friendship of Limbe, coupled with the excellence of Buea, the hard work of Tiko and Muyuka and the hospitality of Idenau, which all make Fako a land of welcome, peace, a melting pot of opportunities, and a land of harmony. “Fako division remains the standing division; the one that says no to any form of intimidation, but yes to peace, development and the wellbeing of its population”, he said.
“I particularly congratulate workers of Fako who have shown and continue to demonstrate courage and patriotism”, he again stated.
Preceding the SDO’s address, Labour Medals of Honour in Gold, Silver Guilt and Silver were decorated on some 64 deserving workers from various establishments, with 16 gold, 20 silver guilt and 28 silver. The majority of the workers were from the Limbe City Council (30).
The march past session which began around 11:30am lasted for at least two hours with Public Administration and Para-statas, Local Collectivities, State Corporations, representatives of the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors as well as other fields like Insurance, Health, the Service industry, Syndicates and Associations etc participating.