13 Ministries to Execute Projects in Bakassi in 2014

Members of the Coordination and Follow-up Committee on the Implementation of Priority Projects to be realized in the Bakassi Zone yesterday, January 16, 2014 during the 16th session of the Committee evaluated projects execution in 2013 and did an inventory of projects programmed for the zone in 2014.

A list of the projects to be carried under the auspices of different ministries indicate that government in the 2014 public investment budget has earmarked FCFA 1,446,366 for priority projects in the area. Priority is given to the livestock and fisheries sectors with government planning to use FCFA 433,500 to acquire fishing equipment, build veterinary centre in Akwa and also to build fishing centres.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources on its part, has earmarked FCFA 362,586 to rehabilitate and extend water supply systems, specifically in Isangele and Ngosso. There are also projects to buy and install cassava processing units in Isangele and Bamousso. In the educational sector, the Ministry of Basic Education has FCFA 118,100 while that of secondary education has FCFA 67,780. The Ministry of Public Works has earmarked the rehabilitation of roads in the Bamousso, Idabato, Isangele, Kombo Abedimo and Kombo Idindi Councils amounting to FCFA 69,400.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ndoh Bertha Bakata, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister while presiding at the opening ceremony of the session stressed the importance of the Bakassi zone. Cameroon got full sovereignty over the Bakassi peninsular from Nigeria on August 14, 2013 in respect of the terms of the Greentree Agreement that spelled out the terms for the complete handing over of the peninsular to Cameroon as the implementation of International Court of Justice ruling on the border dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria.

Ndoh Bertha said some projects were well executed in 2013 citing magnificent building constructed by FEICOM in Akwa. She stated that priority in the area will be given to water and electricity supply, road construction, equipment of health centres with medication and setting up projects to attract Cameroonians settle in the area.

She recommended that work on the projects start early enough and stated that badly executed projects will as has been in the case in the past be rejected. Yesterday's meeting was also used to discuss how to mobilize finances for the projects as well as review the execution of projects for 2013.