By Walter Wilson Nana
The Governor of Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, has dismissed claims that Nigerians in Bakassi have declared their independence, hoisted their flag and launched a radio station.
He qualified widespread reports propagating the alleged event as rumours. “The information I have from my collaborators in the security department indicate that everything is calm in Bakassi. Cameroonians and citizens of other countries out there are pursuing their activities in peace. The technical and administrative personnel put in place by the government of Cameroon are on the ground and working to the best of their abilities. I am not informed of anything except it happened out of Bakassi,” Bilai said in his office in Buea, Tuesday, August 14, while briefing the press on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the handover of the disputed Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
The declarations of the Governor came a week after rife reports alleged that Nigerians in Bakassi had declared their independence, hoisted a flag and launched a radio station.
I’m Not Aware Of Any Nigerian Flag Hoisted In Bakassi – Governor
Okalia assured journalists that Bakassi is 100 percent secured. “Nobody can hoist a flag in Bakassi. Bakassi is 100 percent secured. Since January 2012, there has been no incident in the area. Economic activities have regained steam in the area. There is pacific co-habitation between Cameroonians and Nigerians in Bakassi,” he said.
The Southwest Regional boss said he has undertaken several trips to Bakassi since he became Governor, addressed what has become a routine worry by most Cameroonians; that the Yaoundé administration has neglected Bakassi since the area became Cameroon’s on August 14, 2008.
He said Government has carried out a lot of investments in Bakassi and that State administration is functioning well in the area.
Cameroonian administrators, he said, are administering the people on a daily basis, while Government has total control of the entire Bakassi.
This reporter gathered that the government of Cameroon has already invested a mouth-watering sum of FCFA 40 billion in the peninsula, but these investments are not visible due to the enormous challenges Government encounters in carrying out construction works in Bakassi. “Where there is a hitch is with the water project, which is on course though some water connections in the Bakassi area were not well conceived. The contractors involved have been asked to re-do the work,” the Governor noted.
Bakassi, which Cameroon and Nigeria fought for, for several years, was finally ceded to the former on August 14, 2008, after the International Court of Justice, ICJ, ruled in favour of Cameroon in 2002.
The Governor was also having a real first meeting with the press after he took over the baton of command from Koumpa Issa several months ago.
The August 14 2012 press statement came after Bilai held a meeting with top security officials of the Region.
He seized the opportunity to disagree with generalised views that preparations for imminent Reunification celebrations in Buea are stalled, when he said the preparations for the event are ongoing. “Preparations for the Reunification celebrations are going on well. Construction works on the road from Limbe to Buea was recently launched. Repairs at the two State hotels; the Parliamentarian Flats and the Mountain Hotel, are more the 50 percent done. Studies by the military from Yaoundé are going on. They will demolish the grand stand in Mbongo Square in preparation for a bigger one. After the rainy season, roads within Buea municipality will be developed,” Bilai said. “Even in Bakassi, information on the 50 years of the Reunification of Cameroon is on course. The Mayors, the Divisional Officers, D.Os are been sensitised on what is happening,” the Governor added.
Bilai entreated journalists to preach a message of peace, get the right information from credible sources and not give into rumours.
The briefing, attended by reporters of both the public and private media, was moderated by Southwest Regional Delegate of Communication, Chris Eno Oben.
