Bakassi - Nigerians Dominate Fishing

Interview of the Mayor of Isangele Council in bakassi, Cameroon, Caroline Offiom.

Can we have a better idea of Isangele council area?

Isangele council area went operational in 1975 through a presidential decree. The first mayor worked for about 23 years. I am the second Mayor and I took over from him some five years ago. The council has a manpower of about 12 workers. I can say it's a poor council because we don't generate any income. We depend on money we get from our council fund, FEICOM and government ministries through the decentralisation process.

What is the economic activity of the people of Isangele?

The people do farming, fishing and petit trading. They grow cassava which is the mainstay, yams, cocoyam, plantains and even palms are cropping up now. They sell it around here, to those coming from Mundemba and to the people of Ekang, the first border town in Nigeria after Isangele. One problem that we face here is the uncreative nature of the youths. They want everything done for them. Fishing for example, is practiced mostly by foreigners. That is why we don't have enough fish here. Secondly, the Nigerians who do fishing here feel that they can make more money by selling their fish in Nigeria. Many people would think that Isangele is a place where fish could be in abundance but I would tell you that I buy fish from outside to sustain myself here at Isangele. The youths are the cream of the society. The decision to launch May 20 activities here is a way of awakening them to know and take their responsibilities.

What is the greatest wish of your municipality?

This municipality does not have water, electricity and tarred roads. Paradoxically, it is an oil zone. We are happy with what is being done already but we think water and electricity are vital for life. Government should also do it in such a way that we benefit from oil royalties like people in the forest zones benefit from forest royalties.