Reconstructing NW/SW: Need For Concrete Projects

In a bid to assuage the suffering of the populations of the North West and South West Regions, hit by the virulent armed separatists’ attacks, President Paul Biya put in place what became known as the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW), after the Major National Dialogue in 2019. The plan was officially launched on April 3, 2020, when the Prime Minister signed the decree creating its governing bodies which put the plan into its operational phase and appointing frontline leaders. Essentially, the Presidential Plan is a tool put in place by the government for the restoration of stability, peace and security, and most importantly, to rebuild the shattered infrastructure and economy of the two English-speaking regions.  
With a slogan of “Building Back Better Innovatively,” the plan is pegged on three pillars notably; strengthening social cohesion, rehabilitating critical infrastructure, and revitalising the local economy. These pillars are further organized in three phases namely; recovery, reconstruction and development with a total budget estimated at FCFA 2,500 billion. Though the PPRD-NW/SW is making gaugeable headway in all the pillars, pundits however hold that the pace is slow, arguing that the coordination unit could do better especially with the gradual return to normalcy in many parts of the affected regions. 
The report card so far is not negative considering the volatile security environment and financial hurdles. Of the FCFA 42.2 billion pledged by partners and the State of Cameroon, about FCFA 30.2 billion has been disbursed. The balance sheet indicates that some 99 schools, 39 health centres, 39 water points and four bridges have been constructed or rehabilitated. On economic revitalisation, 1,725 hectares of farm land have been recovered, an estimated 2,461 farmers equipped with farming tools and equipment, and 23 local markets rebuilt, among others. In addition, over 800 civil documents have been reissued and 88 peace-building events held to boost social cohesion in both the North West and South West Regions. 
The recent partnership signed between the government of Cameroon and Japan, one of the donors of the Presidential Plan, is seen as a major bolster to the plan. This represents the 3rd phase of the reconstruction programme with a booster of FCFA 1.5 billion from Japan which has proven to be a friend in need and a friend indeed. The funding though still inadequate, should be dedicated to rebuilding critical infrastructure, which will be visible to the eyes and whose impact will transcend current generations. The infrastructure will not only attest to the determination of the powers that be in rebuilding what has been destroyed but will also be a tangible symbol of stability. Infrastructure projects like schools, health facilities, water, roads and bridges heralds a feeling of hope and brings back essential services to the communities. Each project, no matter how modest it can be, inspires normalcy and is a harbinger of peace. 
The PPRD-NW/SW Coordination should therefore seize the opportunity of the dry season as well as the improv...