Biya campaign promises: A SCAM?

When Paul Biya, head of the regime that was handed power by President Ahmadou Ahidjo 28 years ago finally came to Bamenda in the North West region of Cameroon two days ago, it was like watching a game of cat and mouse. He basically slipped into town, hiding from the official protocol that had rehearsed many times over and was in place at the Bali airport waiting for him.

How he got into town should not surprise us, for the last time he even cared to stop by and check on the people whose lives he governs was a full 20 years ago!

Now to some of the promises made during this campaign visit.

- The creation of a University in the North West Region:
This is long overdue and should have happened at least two decades ago. Anyways, Biya only made a promise, just like he did when he promised to have the Ring Road tarred a lifetime ago. We should not forget that we still have a lot of ground to cover before actually having university students in amphis. Paul Biya still has to sign a decree legally creating the University. Then, a few years later, as has been his style over the past 28 years, the Application Decree which is what will effectively define the structure of the Institution, will have to be signed. And then maybe two or three years later, the Rectors and other staff will be appointed.

Bottom line is, if Mr Biya wants to create a University (which any leader who loves and communes with his people would have done decades ago, anyways), the day before coming to Bamenda, he could have signed the decree creating the University, then proceeded to sign the Application Decree, and shortly thereafter, appointed the top executives of the Institution. He has been on the job for 28 years and should know who can fill what spot.

- The Creation of a Secretariat for Veterans' Affairs.

Good point, but it bears repeating, it means nothing to the veterans when it is just talk and no action. Appoint officials to lead the structure and we can believe you are serious with the campaign promises. For someone close to three decades on the job, it shouldn't take a week to do so.

- Tarring of the Ring Road.

This has been the cry for most of the people of the former West Cameroon. Not tarring this road has been a very effective political weapon as it stifles economic activity, and hampers wealth creation. If you are broke, there is little incentive to take to the streets and fight for your rights, because you will be busy looking for your next meal. So it has always been in Mr Biya's interest not to have this road paved. He will never do so as long as he is resident in the Unity Palace in Etoudi.

- Hydo-electric Dam in Menchum Falls.

Another lofty idea that looks good on paper, but unfortunately will not see the light of day so long as Biya is in Etoudi. Commercial electricity power generation in Cameroon is a monopoly. There are vast foreign interests that have essentially taken over whole swaths of Biya's government hostage. They will lobby and silence anyone who opposes them. They will never allow a major project that will bring cheap electricity to millions in the Nroth West region. If villages get power, then it means many more will get hooked up to the internet and maybe by this time next year when we would have had a new president in Etoudi, thousands more in villagers scattered in rustic huts and compounds around Menchum Falls would be blogging, just like your's truly, detailing what suffering they had had to endure under the Biya regime.

Conclusion

So, to summarize, Mr Biya came to Bamenda, with fear in his heart and made some empty promises like he always did in the past to get a cheap applause from his henchmen who traveled with him from Etoudi in Yaounde. What he must have realised is that he is making promises on projects that should have been a "fait accompli" twenty years ago. Better late than never. A new president - Hopefully Kah Walla (no affiliate of mine) will sign the Application Decree and appoint the executives of the promised institiutions, and execute other pending projects -like tarring the Ring Road,- with dispatch. Paul and Chantal and Frank Biya can watch from Switzerland.
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