By Doh James Sonkey
The 5th session of the Steering Committee of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West regions, PPRD held last April 13, 2023 at the auditorium of the Prime Minister’s Office in Yaounde under the chairmanship of Minister, Director of Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Balungeli Confiance Ebune.
The new operational strategy with a bottom top and youth focused approach aims to accelerate work in 2023.
The new operational strategy targets youth of 15 to 35 years old. Some youth in this age bracket are said to be the main cause of the problem which is born of drop out from school, idleness, drugs, petty crime, kidnapping, rape, murder.
To encourage adhesion, appropriation, finding innovative local solutions to local problems and moving from synergy and non-duplication to symbiosis of actions, the PPRD shall inform and consult Ministries, Regional Assemblies, localized Ministry Institutions, stakeholders, development Authorities, Projects, Development and Cultural Associations, as well as Alumni Associations on projects to be implemented, their implementation and their final result.
The session is coming at the dawn of field visits to the SW and NW regions to evaluate work covered.
While saluting grounds covered so far, the Steering Committee President called on friendly countries and other partners to support the project which spans over a decade.
“We are sure that the achievements witnessed so far will accelerate the speed and the expectations of the local population,” says Balungeli Confiance Ebune, president of the steering committee of the presidential plan.
For his part, the National Coordinator of the presidential plan for the reconstruction and development of the North West and South West regions, Motuba Tamajong Obase hinted that “We are developing a strategy where the population would be involved both at the conception and the follow up of the structure in their respective regions.”
According to him the Plan is divided into three phases: Recovery, Reconstruction and Development. Currently, it is in its Recovery phase which has three pillars; strengthening social cohesion, rehabilitation of social infrastructure and revitalization of the local economy.
He added that all the phases are aligned with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2020 – 2030.
Statistics indicate that projects have been carried out in all three pillars in line with the strategy, “Building Back Better Innovatively”.
Achievements
Restoration of Social Cohesion – 11 women and youth centres reconstructed and equipped, – 800 lost documents to beneficiaries, – 13 social and cultural events organized, – support to media houses, – setting up of a farmer/grazier dialogue platform.
Reconstruction of Infrastructure – 50 schools rehabilitated and constructed, – 19 health centres reconstructed and equipped, – 19 Solar-powered water points rehabilitated and reconstructed.
Revitalization of Local Economy – 2 markets rehabilitated, – 2097 farmers supported with equipment, – 400 farms rehabilitated, – 90 poultry farmers supported, – 85 agro pastoral farmers supported, – 80 start ups supported, – 20 green houses constructed.