Impressive Transformation for Reunification Anniversary

The historic town and headquarters of the South West Region, has become a work site that defies qualifiers.

Hammer hits, bulldozer noise, squeezing movement of trucks, mushrooming structures and the rehabilitation of new streets are some of the common features telling Buea's new face lift. With the pronouncement on 2013 New Year's Eve by the Head of State that "within the next few months, the right conditions should be in place to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Reunification with all due solemnity", action has moved pretty fast to match words.

Two heavy duty-companies, Arab Contractors Cameroon and the Chariot Company Limited have employed over seven hundred men and women to set hands on road construction works that are metamorphosing Buea. Adding these figures to those employed on the rehabilitation of two state-owned hotels namely Buea Mountain hotel and Parliamentarian Flats, the social dimension has employed well over 1000 hands to accompany Buea's face lift.

Water, Electricity

At a press briefing, March 14, to present the state of works in Buea, South West Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai, announced that the water crises in Buea were over. "Wherever there is a tap, water must flow 24 on 24 especially in Upper-Buea where there used to be water rationing," the Governor explained. He underscored that all projects for the upcoming event have been decided in the National Capital, Yaounde and that all they do at the local level is to follow up execution. The Chief Executive of the Region announced that work contracts for the companies carrying out the works have been signed. He reminded the local population that hygiene and sanitation, fresh coat of paint on their walls and hospitality would be their own contribution to the success of the event.

Roads

Buea is witnessing an improvement of its road network with major outlets and inlets being opened to ease circulation during celebrations of the reunification and to serve as better arteries for traffic flow in the future. Notably among the roads so dear to Buea is the Afosi Bookshop-Bokwae-Muea, a seven-kilometre infrastructure to cost some FCFA 1,776,061,800. Engineer Omam Christopher, Manager of the Chariot Company Limited entrusted with the three coat surface dressing of this road told Cameroon Tribune last weekend that they were at 25 percent into the works.

He expressed hopes that the project might be completed within the prescribed deadline of 31 March with their contract already signed by the State last 12 March. "We are beginning to work day and night to realize our jobs," Omam stressed. This very company is charged with building the 450-metre Wonya Mongo-Buea Town road; the Police-Roundabout-Legion Gendarmerie-Governor's Office (300m); GS Small Soppo-Moki Garage Great Soppo (2,022m) and parking lots of 49,038 square metres.

The Arab Contractors Cameroon are at work, on their part, to fill pot holes, cover the gutters and pave the sidewalks of the 8,3km Mile 17-Police Roundabout-Prime Minister's Lodge Presidency Bokwaongo for FCFA 340,810,118. They also have the 2,3 km Governor's Office-Governor's Residence-Court of Appeal-Bicec-SG Residence, the 1,9 km Kuve (former Tubourg) Junction-Military Camp-Razel-Main Road; the 1,3km Mile 18-Malingo Junction; the 900m Governor's Office-Upper Farms Prison; the 1,5km Bonduma-Bokwai; the 800m Campaign Street-Wonyamongo-Buea Town; the 950m Federal Quarters-West Farm-GHS Bokwaongo; and the access road and parking lots at the Presidential residence at Bokwaongo.

Much to the delight of South West dwellers and visitors, the 20km Mpondo-Mondoni-Misselele stretch of road is undergoing rehabilitation at the cost of FCFA 250 million. Equally, the 10km Malingo Junction-Bulu Native-Tole with access to Bulu Blind is being rehabilitated at the cost of FCFA 400. Both roads are 60 percent done by Public Works estimates. The 20km Mile Four-Sasse-Buea is already 82 percent realized for FCFA 1, 9 billion by the SMAR Company.

Hotels

Two State hotels are undergoing refurbishment. The 84-roomed Buea Mountain Hotel is 95 percent finished. Meanwhile, the 30-roomed Parliamentarian Flats is 90 percent finalized. These accommodation spaces in Buea will add to facilities in Tiko, Mutengene, Limbe, Muyuka and Kumba to assure the 2,883 rooms and 2,917 beds announced by the South West Regional Delegate of Tourism, Elangwe Peter Pel during the recent preparatory meeting chaired by Governor Okalia Bilai.

Official Grandstand

A grand stand to sit the Head of State, national and international dignitaries is currently sprouting up at the usual ceremonial ground in the Clerks' Quarters (Bongo's Square). Engineered by the Military, the structure is come-and-see attraction for passers-by. The construction is all in iron and presents the neatest finishing that can ever be dreamed of.

Hygiene, Sanitation

The company in-charge of hygiene and sanitation, HYSACAM, engaged in Buea since September 2010 has employed 82 workers to ensure a daily collection and disposal of waste. Mr. Minka Yves Honore, the Agency head told Cameroon Tribune that the City of Buea is already 80 percent clean. Their major task now is to access the rest of the 40 percent of the areas where new roads are being created.

With some six trucks, house and public waste is regularly collected for disposal. The Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles, and the Divisional Officer for Buea, Chekem Abraham are working round the clock to make Buea spackle for the event. They have organized weekly clean up campaigns involving 25 villages of the area. It has become a rule for all to keep their surroundings clean.