As the celebration countdown narrows, some projects have been impressively realized while others are yet to reach 5 per cent.
With the new deadline set by the Local Organising Committee headed by the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, some major projects earmarked for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Reunification in Buea are ready.
Others are more than 50 percent completed, yet others are at a state of incubation. The new deadline of October 15, 2013 given to contractors during the last evaluation meeting is intended to spur up feet-dragging contractors to hasten up work so as to meet the November deadline set by the National Organizing Committee headed by the Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet at the Presidency, Martin Belinga Eboutou.
The Presidential grandstand constructed by the Military Engineering corps to host the Head of State and his guests, is an imposing structure. It was completed and ready for the event several months ago. The Presidential Palace and the Prime Ministers Lodge have also been refurbished with access roads and parking lots improved upon.
Hotels
Meantime, construction and rehabilitation works on the two State owned hotels, that is, the 84 room Mountain Hotel and the 30 room Parliamentarian Flats are also completed. In fact, the Managers of the two hotels and personnel are already in place. Contacted by Cameroon Tribune, the South West Delegate of Tourism and Leisure, Elangwe Peter Pel, said the kitchen equipments for the Mountain Hotel that were expected to be supplied last Friday September 20, were brought in parts.
For now, the hotel is yet to go operational. He said in the last evaluation meeting that the telephone lines have been installed in the hotels though the optic fibre connections are still being awaited. In other hotel complexes in and around Buea, the hotel proprietors have improved on hygiene and sanitation. Others have increased the number of rooms.
Roads
As far as roads are concerned, the two main companies in charge (Arab Contractors and Chariot Construction Company) are still in the field. During the last evaluation meeting, Chariot Construction announced that it has done 60 percent of the work so far. Works on road arteries such as the three coat surface 7km Afosi-Bokwai-Muea, DO office-Police-Governor's office are still under construction.
Meanwhile, Arab Contractors has realised its stated objective to fill pot holes, cover gutters, removal of the middle platform on the Main Boulevard, rehabilitate some streets within the town such as Governor's office, Governor's Residence-Bicec, Tuborg Junction-Military Camp-Razel Street, etc. However, the stretch of road linking the Federal Quarters and West Farm-GHS Bokwaongo is still pending. The Delegate of Urban Development and Housing for the South West, Francis Oben, explained that some denizens have obstructed the construction work because they have built private homes along the stretch. The Governor instructed the Divisional Officer of Buea, the Mayor and Security forces to take forceful action and demolish houses constructed on the path of the road. According to the Delegate of Public Works, Denis Awoh Ndang, contract for supplementary work on the Mile Four-Sasse-Buea road which has dilapidated, has not yet been signed. He revealed that the Ministry had dispatched a delegation to carry out studies for the tarring of the road soon.
Also, the 20km Muyuka-Mpundu-Mondoni road intended to de-congest Buea during the celebration, is at 76 percent done while work is expected to resume following the approaching dry season. A total of 16 parking lots have also been prepared. In the area of Water and Energy, street lights are already shining on the streets of Buea, Limbe and Kumba though plagued by low voltage especially in Limbe and Kumba.
Citizens still complain of off and on water supplies in some residential areas. The Regional Delegate of Water and Energy declared during the evaluation meeting last week that plans are afoot to acquire two generators for the Presidential palace as well as water pumping generators to be installed by the end of October to end the protracted water crisis in Buea.
Major uncompleted projects
However, two major projects under the supervision of the Ministry of Arts and Culture are just beginning with works still at less than 5 percent. The Reunification Monument to be constructed in-front of the Governor's office just kicked off and the project duration is four months. The Governor instructed the SARMETAL enterprise executing the project to work day and night so as to meet the deadline.
Just like the 50th Anniversary of Reunification Monument, the Open Air Amphitheatre project for cultural manifestations situated directly opposite the newly constructed Presidential Tribune, is also just taking off. Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai had warned contractors during last week's evaluation meeting and exhorted them to respect their engagements because they cannot afford to ridicule the State given that the event has a strong bearing on the honour of the nation. By press time, Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai was in the field to ensure a close follow-up and supervision of these projects.
