Cameroon: Steering Committee begins Phase Two of Reconstructing NOSO

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

As reported by the country's public media, CRTV, the second phase of the reconstruction process is set to run from June 22 to July 5. This phase consists of carrying out a mission to raise awareness and popularize the Presidential Plan within the North West and South West regions (NOSO). During the period, the teams comprising all social categories will evaluate their main priority areas in line with their plan of reconstruction for the next two years.

The Steering Committee headed Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Paul Tasong Njukang was appointed on April 3, alongside his assistant Donatus Njong Fonyuy. They have been tasked to lead the efforts in reconstructing Cameroon's two English-speaking regions hard hit by the ongoing Anglophone crisis.  They have two years to put the two regions back on track.

In an inclusive approach, discussion sessions will be organised between the team and delegations from each of the divisions to discuss the Plan and the priorities of the populations for the reconstruction.

Process and mechanism for implementing the earmarked projects as well as the methods of organization of beneficiaries of the Presidential Plan, especially in the village will also be discussed with the local communities.

Local authorities will be called upon to ensure the security of project sites while representatives of communities as well as civil society will also be integrated into the projects so that they can claim ownership of the Plan.

The responsibilities to secure community infrastructure and equipment will also feature in the discussion.

The Divisional delegations will be composed among others, of the Senior Divisional Officer, the elected officials including Members of the National Assembly, Senators and Mayors, 05 representatives of religious authorities, traditional authorities at the rank of 1st and 2nd-degree chiefs, 02 representatives of women's associations, 02 representatives of youth associations and the presidents of village development committees. Maximum membership is 50 people in line with COVID-19 requirements.

The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP is one of many government partners in the reconstruction and development of the two English-speaking regions affected by more than three years of socio-political crisis.

The UNDP is expected to hold separate working sessions with UN agencies present on the ground and certain civil society organizations for a thorough understanding of the challenges of reconstruction and the methods of implementing activities.

The UN body also plans to develop humanitarian, recovery or peacebuilding programs and develop the analysis of operational risks and priority areas due to their geographical features.

It will also help in risk analysis and to coordinate and synchronize the interventions and division of tasks between state and non-state actors. They will also develop a security mapping of the intervention areas.

The Presidential Plan for the reconstruction and development of the North West and South West regions drawn up and approved by the President of the Republic seeks to provide immediate social, economic and infrastructural needs of the populations affected by the security crisis in the English speaking regions. FCFA 90 billion has been allocated for the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West is