THE HEAD OF STATE RECOGNIZES THE SOCIETY’S CRY

As the President of Cameroon H.E. Paul Biya gave his end of year speech for the year 2023, he ensured not to put deaf ears on the cries of the population on the difficulties for this 2023 and he has ensured to list the various cases and promises to work on them as soon as possible.

To begin with, he addressed the raise in foodstuff and energy resource prices and he addressed the fact that supply channels of the global consumer market have been disrupted due to the lingering war in Eastern Europe.

Going over the next topic of social issues in Cameroon, he brought up the petroleum problem and reassured to bring up a way to work on that with the Government and reduce the level of petroleum scarcity. It was as well indicated in the speech on the challenges in the sector being broader and more complex. A rehabilitation of SONARA, must be expedited as instructed by the Head of State.

The Head of State further went on to the problem of scarcity of proper drinking water in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, and its environs from the river Sanaga. He further spoke on a project that is soon coming to an end to provide proper drinking water for the society, and has also added other towns in which proper drinking water will be provided for such as; Dschang, Yabassi, Garoua-Boulai and many other concerned neighbourhoods. As stated in the end of year speech, “The requisite efforts will continue to be deployed to rehabilitate and extend the distribution networks of this precious resource in our towns and villages to make it more accessible to households” expressed the President. The aspect of road safety was also visited and drivers and bus service operators have been called to order and preventive and repressive measures will be taken.

H.E. Paul Biya also did not forget the issue of electricity in the nation that has been bothering people, and has affected lots of day-to-day activities. He explained on how 44 thousand solar panels have been installed in the three northern regions in Cameroon, covering 40% of electricity needs in the said regions. The speech also contained the fact that the 420-megawatt Nachtigal Dam will soon be commissioned in the nearest future. The Lom Pangar Dam-toe plant as well, will be operational in 2024, and it will help increase energy supply in the town of Bertoua and its environs. In other developments in the electricity restoration aspect, hydropower facility projects have been launched for the new year and they include; Kikot, Minkouma, Grand Eweng and Bini à Warak dams.

The speech as well entailed the problem of bad roads in the nation, and the Head of State has assured his citizens that his office is working on that, and improvement of bad roads infrastructure, will be worked on . it was revealed that during the end of last year 2023, over 700 kilometres of roads were rehabilitated nationwide. Other related highway engineering structures have been built in the progress as well. Presently, constructions on some roads have been launched like; Ebolowa-Kribi road, Kumba-Ekondo Titi road, Babadjou-Bamenda road, instructions have been issued for the rehabilitation of the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road, and negotiations are ongoing for the completion of the Mora-Dabanga-Kousseri road, Edea-Kribi and Douala-Bafoussam roads. Motorway projects will not be left out in the 2024 developments and aspirations, particularly the launching of the construction of the urban section of the Yaoundé – Nsimalen motorway and that of the second phase of the Yaoundé – Douala motorway.

A lasting solution for the issue of household garbage collection in the various cities of Cameroon, have been deliberated on in collaboration with the Councils and City Councils.

The education sector was also visited on the fact that calm has not been fully restored and needs to be worked on. It was also called on teachers to respect and practice their profession and that they should respect the young generation coming up. Strong measures will be taken to ensure that children do not fall victim to substandard education.

The President as well appreciated the cooperation of the improved defence in the North West, South West and Far North regions. He made a flashback on the incident that happened last year on November 6^th 2023, in Mamfe, a town in Southwest region, Cameroon, and sympathised as well and condemned the atrocities that occurred in that scene. It was as well reminded that the rate of security will be increased to eradicate all the terrorists and those who practice criminal activities in the nation.

Last on the speech was the upcoming 34^th Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in which the Indomitable Lions will participate. The Head of State encouraged them to defend the nation’s flag with courage and honour, as they have done in the past.

With the ongoing and future projects, 2024 will be a great year indeed. Now what runs in the minds of the society is hope that all the new year resolutions will be respected so the nation can grow and develop better.

Delia Nyadi