CAMEROON INFOTREND

 COVID-19 DEFENCE: BAMENDA II MAYOR BONDS WITH QUARTER HEADS

BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM

Mayor Chenwi Peter was acting in a move to build a wall against coronavirus in his sub divisional council area. With full knowledge on the current law of Decentralisation in Cameroon, he rallied quarter heads from various villages that make up Bamenda two Sub Divisional Council, handed them sanitary items including buckets, soaps, and toilet rolls . The ceremony took place at the Epic Event Center, Bamenda April 9 2020.

The mayor noted that the presence of 116 quarter heads from the four villages Mbatu , Mankon, Chomba and Snogwa that make up the council was encouraging. Before handing them items to help prevent COVID-19, quarter heads were cautioned on appropriate measures in the fight against the virus. On invitation by the council, health officials drilled them with knowledge on coronavirus. Emphasis was laid on the use of water and soap in washing hands, use 96% alcoholic sanitizers for the hands, use of decontaminated solution for surfaces, stay at home, avoiding handshakes, avoid travelling, avoid hugging and crowds among others. Stress was also laid on the incubation period and symptoms of the virus. Also they were told to dial the hotline 1510 when one is noticed with symptoms of the virus which could be dry cough, fever, breathing difficulty, runny nose, itchy throat, headache, diarrhoea and painful muscles.

Also present at the ceremony was the Divisional Officer of Bamenda Two Tanyi Akwo Roquecegnol who together with the mayor and deputy handed items to the chiefs, enjoining them to collaborate with the administration to fight against both health and security challenges in their respective villages within the council jurisdiction.

 “If we look at the situation in the northwest region we must say we thank God for everything because even though COVID is at a high rate, this our region is at the observant stage but the public is highly aware and so we have gone extra miles at the level of Bamenda two council to make sure we provide these equipments to quarter heads to further assist their council and people in their community. It is not easy for us to go anywhere so we have to work with the quarter heads from the four villages that make up Bamenda II Council” Mayor Chenwi Peter said while talking to the press in a gang interview on the subject. The mood was one of satisfaction from quarter heads who received items to be used against COVID.

“I do appreciate this because it’s first of its kind. I have been quarter head for over eight years but I have never had an opportunity like this from any mayor. So I’m happy with the gesture because it would help my community in fighting against coronavirus. I am at the heart of town where I receive many people so the items would really help. I would do my best to collaborate with the council on issues of development” Chungong George head of Ntamulung neighbourhood expressed feelings.

The feeling was the same with  Fonchingong Celestine, head of Mawatsu neighbourhood- Mile 8 Mankon who said “I am happy for this gesture. If they can keep penetrating the grassroots then it is the most successful way in working. The items they gave would be used by the community. I would place the buckets and soaps at the quarter council hall so that anybody coming in would wash hands before interacting with people. The mayor also talked of insecurity and I think it is very important because we are facing security challenges and quarter heads need collaboration in stamping out insecurity.”

With sanitary items having been distributed to quarter heads, the two parties; chiefs and mayor look forward to more collaboration in matters of building their jurisdiction. The Bamenda II Council Office is shut from the council’s usage, the second deputy mayor of Bamenda two Angwafor Louis is in captivity. The two complexities are allegedly being orchestrated by separatist fighters. The Mayor noted that the challenge requires collaboration.