The police command last week served the nation a refreshing dose of quick response following the macabre incident that turned Mutengene town upside down on August 23. The chilling murder of what many consider an innocent soul, by police on regular patrol, set the town, which is always on the edge, loose and mayhem was visited on cars, buildings and other property.
In the aftermath of the shocking incidents that could, from various corroborating accounts, been avoided, the Delegate General of National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele acted swiftly. The Commissioner of the town’s police post, Ali Pierre was relieved of his functions and replaced with another young and enterprising cop, Ndumbe Eric Lazarre.
Of course, no reason was advanced for Ali’s removal but the fact remains that he is a casualty of the recent incidents and being at the head of the unit that was roundly indicted by the population and other observers; he had to pay the price.
The move by the police hierarchy has been largely acclaimed. It is one that went a long way to calm the population and bring back some sanity no matter how precarious the situation still is. It is true that we do not yet know what has become of the police officer who opened the fire that snuffed life away from the young and helpless Crispo Akem. However, the mere fact that someone is being punished, at least shows government’s responsiveness to the situation.
This is where the police action stands out and needs to be emulated by many others in the government machinery right to the top. There is no overstating the fact that inertia and procrastination seem to have taken over the management of public affairs in the country. More than five years ago the president of the republic came out forcefully to condemn these cankerworms.
Unfortunately, like make other denunciations made by the president, the situation has not changed much. Ironically, many observers think what the president has been condemning is right there at his doorsteps and that it is a malaise that is running from top to bottom. Too often a lot of situations have been allowed to rot before action is taken by which time it is too late and the negative consequences already irreparable.
There have been clear cases where some functionaries have been found wanting and decried but for whatever reason allowed to stay on. Such inactions create a huge gap between the governed and the powers that be which deepens crisis or festers them.
The police example needs to be replicated throughout the width and breadth of our public administration if our country seriously needs to keep pace with other nations on the development superhighway. There are others like Martin Mbarga Nguele who are pushing through reforms in their domain and are today silver lining on a dark Cameroonian cloud. Unfortunately, those of Mbarga Nguele’s ilk are few.
Considered a highly corrupt and unkempt core, the police has in recent years, been on a stride to redeem its image and be a citizen force again. Today, our policemen and women are much tidier and cleaner and many more have become friendlier with the population. But the gangrene of corruption and abuse of rights of citizens, unfortunately, still continues to dog the efforts of the police hierarchy to bring about a clean sweep. If he doesn’t entirely succeed in cleaning the house, it would not be because Mbarga Nguele has not dared. This is what we expect from others – dare!
