“We Can Cite The Increase In The Number of Schools, Health Centres, Markets”

How is the Bakassi peninsula today, 15 years after its official handing over to Cameroon?
To the best of my knowledge, there has been an improvement in the peninsula as compared to 15 years ago when there was strife, occupation of the area by Nigerian troops and a lot of insecurity. Now Cameroon has total control of the area and there is calm and peaceful co-habitation of the population in the area. We all know that the territory was officially handed over to Cameroon through the Green Tree Agreement with the supervision of the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Koffi Annan. 

What has changed in the peninsula in terms of socio-economic development?
Since the official departure of the Nigerian troops from the Bakassi Peninsula, the government of Cameroon has invested a lot in the Peninsula in terms of socio-economic infrastructure, capacity development of the human resources, moral rearmament and great sense of belonging.
As far as social and economic infrastructures are concerned, we can cite the increase in the number of schools, health facilities, community halls, potable water points, markets, transformation units for agricultural and livestock products, transport facilities, offices, staff residences etc; As for capacity development of the people living in the area, a lot of capacity improvement workshops and seminars have been organised and some of them have been organised into professional organisations. Most people in the area now are proud to say they are Cameroonians and they enjoy the harmonious co-existence with people from the neighbouring Nigeria. Nigerians are also now aware that Bakassi belongs to Cameroon and they have to respect the laws of the land and interact peacefully with their host. By and large, there is a good level of cohabitation and understanding between inhabitants as trade and other exchanges take place smoothly. We have not heard of any tensions since the area was officially handed to Cameroon. 

At what level are we with the implementation of earmarked projects for the development of Bakassi?
You know I have just recently been appointed for which I am very grateful to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr, Joseph Dion Ngute for the confidence he bestowed on my humble self and to the Head of State, Paul Biya. It will be difficult for me to evaluate the level of implementation of the earmarked projects in this area at this very short notice. We have to work together with my colleagues to avail ourselves with what was earmarked, what has been done and what needs to be ...