By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The Mayor of the Buea municipality, David Mafani Namange Esq has reassured the victims of the recent floods in Buea of the government’s continuous support and efforts in alleviating their sorrow and suffering during these difficult times.
While expressing his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives as a result of the floods, Mayor Mafani Namange in a recently released communiqué noted that the Buea council is doing everything within its competence to ensure that all is in order.
“I want to emphasize that safety remains our top priority. While the immediate danger from the incident has passed, there may still be hazardous conditions present such as downed power lines or weakened structures” he urged the population of Buea town in particular and the Buea municipality in general to exercise caution and stay alert.
In a press interview after the incident, the mayor reiterated his warning on the demolition of houses constructed on water ways. It is important to state that months ago, prior to the flood incident, Mayor Mafani and his team could be seen around the streets of the municipality on several occasions warning persons staying around waterways to evacuate their premises for fear of the unknown.
As concerns government’s interventions, it is also worth mentioning that since the flood incident occurred the President of the Republic has dispatched envoys some of whom include; the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji paid a visit to the site and donated some relief materials to the victims. Thereafter, the Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s office, Minister Balungeli Confiance Ebune visited the flood area during one of his most recent working visits to Buea. The Paramount Chief of Limbe, HRM Chief Elufa John Manga Williams also paid a visit to the flood victims recently and supported them with some relief materials.
Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Nalova Lyonga is the most recent administrator who paid a visit to the flood site this Friday, March 24, 2023 to sympathize with the bereaved families as well as other victims of the floods. She reiterated the need for government and local authorities to provide settlements to the dozens of persons whose homes were destroyed by the floods on March 17 2023. She added that the government and authorities concerned must take proactive measures to avoid a recurrence of the disaster.
The Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai is also among one of the 1st officials to have visited the flood site wherein he called on the population to always give listening ears to the administration and local authorities so as to avoid similar occurrences in the future.