October 15 Is Deadline for Reunification Projects!

Bernard Okalia Bilai gave the deadline in an evaluation meeting in Buea on September 18.

South West Governor and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Reunification have expressed bitterness on the lackluster attitude of contractors executing the anniversary projects.

Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai who was visibly angry with the state of execution called on all stakeholders to show greater seriousness and commitment towards the celebrations. "Everybody involved in the preparations for the anniversary must do his work," the Governor said, while reminding members of the local committee and enterprises involved in the projects that the event is a matter of state honour and no one would be allowed to ridicule the state. "Everybody must be serious more than ever before because it is a matter of honour to the state," he averred.

The Governor revealed that the Head of State has ordered for means to be provided and thus there is no other condition that should delay work especially as the rains have subsided. "What has been put to our disposal is sufficient enough for us to do our work," he told the committee members in an evaluation meeting on Wednesday 18 September in Buea.

Mr. Okalia Bilai promised a day-to-day follow up of execution works beginning next Tuesday 24 September. He also announced the eminent visit of the National Organizing Committee delegation to Buea in October to supervise the works.

The technical services concerned like the Ministries of Urban Development and Housing, Tourism and Leisure, Telecommunications and local government authorities also presented reports in view of the celebrations. The Regional Delegate of Urban Development and Housing, Oben Francis, revealed that Chariot Construction has executed 60 percent of the work while contracts for some supplementary works are still to be signed.

The Regional Delegate of Tourism and Leisure, Elangwe Peter Pel on his part, said the construction and rehabilitation of the Mountain Hotel and the Parliamentary Flat is over 95 percent completed. Managers and personnel of the hotels are already in place though kitchen equipments for the Mountain Hotel are still awaited. Meanwhile, the Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture stated that the construction works for the Reunification monument and the open-air theatre are just taking off.