By NDIMUH B. SHANCHO
The General Manager of Cameroon’s agro-industrial giant, PAMOL, Chief Mekanya Charles Okon, has donated relief support for the succor and comfort of former separatist fighters at the Disarmament Demobilisation and Rehabilitation Centre, DDR, in Buea. The donation worth FCFA 250 000, was made available recently to the ex-combatants at the DDR Centre on the campus of Borstal Institute in Buea.
Representing the GM at the occasion, the PAMOL’s charge de mission, in Mundemba subdivision, Holfman Bako, while handing the cash gift, said the gesture was in recognition of the ex-combatants’ wise decision to heed the call of President Paul Biya to lay down their arms and embrace peace. This gesture was greeted with so much joy by the former separatist fighters, who promised to be responsible and hardworking citizens, be of good behaviour and participate in the development efforts of the country.
The National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Committee was created following a presidential decree on November 30, 2018 to organise, supervise and manage ex-fighters of Boko Haram in the Far North Region, and armed groups in the North West and South West regions willing to lay down their arms. This decree, which was proceeded by the appointment of Fai Yengo Francis as National Coordinator and regional coordinators, culminated in the setting up of regional centers in Mora, Bamenda, and Buea.
The South West Regional Centre was set up at the Borstal Institute of Buea, under auspices of the Regional Coordinator, FonjuNjukang Bernard with first batch of returnees recorded December 22, 2018. The ex-combatants are given civic education, moral rearmament and practical lessons in driving, farming, poultry, pig rearing and otherwise, which according to theDirector of the Buea DDR Centre, Bernard Fonju, are meant for rehabilitation and self-development.
The provision of adequate medical follow-up, maintaining discipline, imparting knowledge to returnees with varied educational levels remain a great challenge to the Centre.
It should be noted that the PAMOL GM has been very instrumental in peace returning to Mundemba where life has greatly returned to normal and work at the PAMOL estates and mill in Ndian are poing on unhindered.