MAMFE GETS SHARE OF $61 MILLION FUNDING FOR WATER AND SANITATION BY ADB:

Children scramble for Rare
Water: A Basic life necessity.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Board of Directors has approved a loan of 40 million Units of Account (UA)*, equivalent to US$ 61.6 million, to help finance a Semi-Urban Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation project in Cameroon.

The Project, to be financed by the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessionary window of the AfDB Group, will cover 19 councils in the Central, Far North, Littoral, West, South and South-West provinces of the country.

The project aims at improving the living environment of the communities through better access to drinking water and sanitation in 19 council areas: Akono, Bafia, Ngoumou, Kousseri, Loum, Manjo, Mbanga, Nkonsamba, Bafan, Banka, Bana, Banganté, Bangou, Bansoa Penka-Michel, Foumban, Ebolowa, Sangmélima, Kumba and Mamfe).

Lack of drinking water and sanitation services in the areas was highlighted in the 2008-2009 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) approved by the Bank Group after a mid-term review conducted in September 2007. The CSP underscores the need to improve access to drinking water supply and sanitation. The ADF loan falls under the second pillar of the CSP relating to infrastructure development to combat poverty.

The Cross River In Mamfe:
Source of water when the taps cease to flow.


The Project will benefit 1.15 million residents of the cities, 51% of whom are women. It will also benefit the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER), the Camerounaise des Eaux - Cameroon Water Company (CDE), the Directorate of Water Resources and Hydrology branch offices, municipalities, SMEs, women’s and youth associations that will be involved in its implementation.

The Project is expected to increase the average rate of access to drinking water in the towns concerned from 24% to 80% and access to sanitation services from 13% to 40% by 2013. The average prevalence rate of water and sanitation-related diseases are expected to decline by half during this period. Furthermore, the project will create employment during its implementation and after its completion in the form of micro-enterprises in the water and sanitation sector.

The total project cost is estimated at UA 45.58 million. The ADF loan accounts for 87.76% of the cost. The government will contribute UA 4.48 million while beneficiaries (urban communes) will contribute UA 1.10 million.



Source: http://www.afdb.org/en/news-events/article/cameroon-us-61-million-funding-for-water-and-sanitation-4275/

MANYU VILLAGES TO ENJOY NEW TIMBER ADVANTAGES

A tripartite meeting aimed at addressing pertinent issues concerning forest exploitation in Manyu Division, was held recently in Mamfe, headquarters of Manyu.

It grouped traditional rulers along side the elite of 41 villages, the forestry administration and the forest exploiting company, Transformation REEF Cameroon (TRC). All these stakeholders finally agreed to bury their differences and turn to a new leaf in forest management.

Addressing the meeting participants, the Senior Divisional Officer of Manyu Mr Patrick Simou Kamsu, called for the creation and proper functioning of village forest management committees as a way to solve what he termed a "misunderstanding among various actors in forest management". The SDO said, according to the forestry law No94/01 of January 20, 1994, the management of the forest is participatory. As such, the administration initiates the management units, the local population is custodian of the forest and the exploiter is chosen by the State. Otherwise, the government lays down rules, prepares the log book (cahier de charges), chooses the exploiting company, collects taxes and gives forest rebates to beneficiary communities.

But what triggered the Mamfe meeting? Tende Augustine Ashu, Manyu Divisional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, said he is aware that some of the rights and obligations of the different stake holders were not totally fulfilled due to diverse reasons. Village heads said some of their rebates had not yet reached the 41 villages where timber is exploited since 2006. A total of 103,510 hectares of forest are under exploitation. The three subdivisions of Manyu are subdivided into three forest management units (FMU) by Transformation REEF Cameroon, in partnership with SEPFCO, EFFA and SEFECAM. How do the villages get their rebates or royalties?

The Manyu meeting styled as "Information and Sensitization Meeting on Forest Exploitation", was the first of its kind and the explanation came from the Manyu chief executive that "assistance comes to the community through forest rebates but a good understanding between local villages and the exploiting company can lead to additional advantages which will be included in the log book for definite concession". The SDO Simou Kamseu, promised to work with TRC for additional advantages in favour of the villages concerned. He also reminded the villagers that the royalties paid cannot be given to them in cash, adding that they should prepare projects and send to the council where this money is paid to sponsor the project.

This Story appeared on http://allafrica.com/stories/200906230254.html and posted by Asong Sylvester - Cameroon Tribune June 23, 2009.

THE ROLES OF MEDWC, MAPADEF AND THE MANYU GAC BY DR. DAVID E. TAMBE

Sessekou Dr. David Tambe

I will like to start by thanking you all for your continuous and relentless dedication towards the affairs of Manyu economic revitalization. It is indeed my pleasure to be here as coordinator and to bring you warm greetings from the Manyu family in the USA. Despite the difficulties that have plagued this conference, we do hope that we will be able to make substantial progress towards our anticipated targets by the time the conference is over. My report is three parts. In the first part, I have tried to shed a little more light on the confusion surrounding MEDWC and MAPADEF. In the second part, I am proposing the creation of another subsidiary of MEDWC devoted specifically to the activities discussed in that section. Finally, in the third part, I will like to officially thank our host sub-division Eyumojock for having us here despite the difficulties that usually surround conferences.


The Challenges of Manyu Community Development:

The current state of decadence of Manyu Division can be attributed largely to the lack of sufficient/significant capital investments within the division. To date, most of the efforts at developing Manyu have relied primarily on uncoordinated individual adventures, as well as the efforts of non-profit philanthropic groups like MECA, Manyu Solidarity Foundation, Efokuyu, NOMA, etc. just to name a few. Despite their hearty intentions, none of these organizations really has the backbone to raise and to invest the type of resources needed to develop Manyu division. Community development is the process by which local people build organizations and partnerships that interconnect profitable business with other interests and values - for example skills and education, healthcare, housing, employment, transportation, the environment, etc. In community development the various stakeholders typically get involved, describing how the community should change, while the associated organizations seek for avenues to make their actions and investments reinforce the wishes and intentions of the whole community. Business becomes not only a means to accumulate wealth, but an avenue to make the local way of life more creative, inclusive, and sustainable now and in the future.

Effective community development requires a multi-functional, comprehensive strategy of sustainable on-going activities, in contrast to individual economic development projects and/or isolated attempts at community betterment as is evident with our current struggles. Effective community development also requires the integration of both economic and social goals so as to achieve far-reaching community revitalization potentials. Sustainable communities recognize that their economic and social structures, and the health of the local environment are intertwined. The community development process is thus guided by strategic planning and analysis, in contrast to opportunistic and unsystematic tactics. Additionally, sustainable community development seeks to empower the people by providing them with the tools necessary to effect change in their own communities. This is achieved by increasing the political, social, and economic strengths of individuals and groups of individuals.

It is thus evident that the vitality of any vibrant or aspiring community/economy depends on the ability of its community leaders (i.e. community development practitioners) to identify and to attract the resources necessary to achieve development. Experience has shown that small and medium size businesses often account for up to 90% of all production activities in these striving economies, and Manyu division will be no exception. The future of Manyu development thus resides on our ability to attract the pertinent stakeholders and to lure much needed financial resources into Manyu division. The pertinent stakeholders in this case will include the business community seeking for business opportunities and the associated profits, potential investors seeking for returns on their investments, non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, etc.

The Roles of MEDWC and MAPADEF:

Given the challenges involved in effective community development, it is anticipated that MEDWC will provide a structure that will serve as platform for Manyu community development. MEDWC was created in December of 2003 (after restructuring the former Manyu World Conference) in an attempt to better integrate the efforts of the different organizations involved in the multiple facets of Manyu economic revitalization. MEDWC thus serves the role of an umbrella organization, seeking to work in conjunction with non-profit organizations, the business community, the local government, and the Manyu people to develop and to implement more efficient and profitable Manyu economic development solutions.

The Old German Bridge (Mamfe)
To be successful, however, MEDWC will be expected to put in place some of the essential infrastructures necessary to achieve and to maintain a vital community. These will include, but not limited to, a social infrastructure, an economic infrastructure, and a physical infrastructure. A social infrastructure usually includes access to adequate medical and social services, while the economic infrastructure is intended to ensure a sustainable quality of life consistent with available resources, community goals, living standards, expectations, and aspirations. On its part, the Physical Infrastructure assures the existence of transportation systems, healthcare facilities, housing, public facilities, water systems, technology transfer systems, etc. The task for MEDWC will thus be directed primarily towards creating the right partnerships so as to attract the appropriate infrastructures to the communities, as well as to improve and secure the communities’ access to resources. To that effect, MEDWC needs to create concrete structures with specific community development targets.

The Manyu Participatory Development Fund (MAPADEF) was initiated during the MEDWC conference in Tinto and subsequently launched in Mamfe town in April of 2006 under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Hillman A. Egbe. The creation of MAPADEF fits appropriately with MEDWC’s tasks of building partnerships and creating access to resources. When fully functional, MAPADEF will serve as one of the financial branches of MEDWC. As a financial wing, the activities of MAPADEF will be geared primarily towards raising funds and executing approved projects for MEDWC. On a larger scale, MAPADEF could also serve as a financial resource for small business entrepreneurs desiring to establish or to expand a business in Manyu division. Furthermore, the funds secured by MAPADEF could also serve as collateral to attract investors, solicit for community development funds from foreign organizations, or to initiate business partnerships and joint ventures with other businesses seeking for opportunities to make profit. Finally, MAPADEF can also serve as the ‘Manyu NGO’, soliciting/biding for projects into Manyu division. We are thus very hopeful that MAPADEF will play a very crucial role in Manyu development.


Proposal for a New Subsidiary of MEDWC- The Manyu Government Action Committee

Another potentially beneficial extension to be considered by MEDWC is the creation of a Manyu Government Action Committee (Manyu GAC). This will be a recognized non-partisan committee devoted exclusively to lobbying and/or pressuring the state government for the interests of Manyu division. Public interest groups have been shown to work constructively and positively to impact the development of local communities. Manyu needs to create and maintain such a group. The structure of Manyu GAC could be similar to the model adopted by MAPADEF, consisting of a representative general assembly and a board of directors. The creation of a government action committee or its equivalent will ensure that the issues of interest to Manyu division are consistently being evaluated and presented to the appropriate channels for funding considerations. This committee will ensure that funds allocated for projects in Manyu division through contracts or otherwise are fully utilized for the intended projects. The committee could also serve the role of a supervisory/watchdog team for all state funded projects within Manyu, such as the yearly maintenance of roads, so as to ensure that contractors/subcontractors are meeting their contract obligations. Creating and maintaining a public interest group is certainly a more efficient approach to accessing available state resources than spontaneous actions that tend to have negative connotations.

Good roads when properly monitored by (GAC)

In summary, with the right support from the Manyu community, MEDWC, MAPADEF, and other subsequent extensions, such as the proposed Manyu GAC, possess the potentials to set up a Manyu development structure that is consistent with sustainable community development. Finally, I will like to use this time to thank the entire Eyumojock family for hosting the conference. I will like to specifically extend very warm greetings from the Ndep Nju family group. The Ndep Nju family group USA has been very supportive both morally and financially to my efforts as USA coordinator to raise the funds necessary to finance various aspects of this conference. I will also like to thank all the other Manyu brothers and sisters in the USA who have been very supportive. A complete listing of the sponsors of this conference within the USA is currently on the internet. The list can be accessed through www.medwc.org. A copy of that list will be available for the conference proceedings.

As a token of appreciation for hosting the conference, MEDWC agreed to provide the following services and/or make the following donations to the host subdivision.

- A free health fair with free medications and medical supplies at a designated health
centre.
- Donate 6 new computers to selected educational institutions and health centres. These computers will be used for record keeping and processing, disease tracking, accessing the information super highway, and other essential functions.
- Donate 3 new generators to serve as backup to select educational and/or health institutions. We hope that these will serve very vital roles especially given the frequent blackouts experienced within the local area.
- Provide financial aid of up to 1.8 millions FCFA to students of the sub-division.


As I close, I will like to invite you to take a look at the newly created website for MEDWC. The URL is www.medwc.org. We hope that this site will serve as a vital source of information for the past, current and future activities of MEDWC.

Sessekou Dr. David E. Tambe is the USA Coordinator for MEDWC. Email: Davetambe@yahoo.com

DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AS A GATEWAY TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

Manyu people at home and abroad need to develop a community spirit which is a prerequisite for economic empowerment. A community spirit entails working together as organized groups to realize projects or solve problems that plague our community. A community spirit suggests a sense of reciprocity, reaping from the benefits that come from working together. Empowering the people is enabling them to become self sufficient, alleviating poverty.

Poverty is a state of material, intellectual or moral destitution which prevents one from properly assuming responsibility for oneself and from integrating in the social, economic, cultural, or political life of the community or nation. Such a state can be partial or total, but never beyond remedy. Every individual must find ways and means to break away from this state.

As an individual, one can be very rich and self sufficient but if the one is surrounded by poor family members who depend solely on him; they all drift towards the poverty line. It is therefore very important for us to put our heads together, diagnose the causes and look for appropriate solutions.

The fight against poverty can be seen as a wealth generating activity undertaken by the poor or the poorest sections of the population. This means that people interested in their welfare, instead of providing them with materials goods (rice, drugs, clothing etc) for a limited period of time, it is better to teach the poor to generate their own income. Giving aid to people is just an accident, but ownership is more permanent and it leaves the whole population richer. In order to reduce poverty, in our Division, a number of issues have to be addressed.

Building a community Spirit: encouraging team work

Many of us like to work as individuals probably as a result of past experiences we have had working with other people. If your first child dies of malaria you will not stop giving birth. Working in organized groups will enable us to:
* attain economic self sufficiency faster and share the risks involved,
* have a new insight into challenges around us and stimulates the search for solutions.
* mobilize enough resources to solve our problems.
* save and invest wisely as individuals and as groups to reduce poverty.

The fight against ignorance (Education)

Creating awareness in the population of other possibilities or opportunities available to them is of primary importance.

Teaching them: various ways of production and conservation, how to plan for the future, carrying out ongoing education on programmes that lead to economic enhancement will reduce poverty and create new jobs.

The schools should therefore aim at producing an all round citizen that will adapt without self-negation to scientific and technological change, to maximize his or her chances; to be grounded in the customs of his or her environment; and to face unavoidable competition in and out of their immediate environment.

The fight against subsistence agriculture

Over 70% of our population is engaged in subsistence agriculture. We need to go beyond this and start creating large farms and estates that will be of economic importance. This can only be possible through Common Initiative Groups which can attract us other sources of finance.


This entails the implementation of a policy for the:
* Promotion of the production and processing of all types of farm products (maize,
groundnuts,
cassava, peppers, pigs, poultry, palms, coffee, cocoa etc,)
* Promotion of improved seed variety
* Promotion of the organized sale of the surplus food produced.



Promotion small scale industries This implies developing activities which enable: Transformation of raw materials;
Promotion of specialized training in the sector;
Promotion of the sale and even the exportation of the products.


The fight against basic diseases (healthcare)

This involves: Giving the underprivileged access to quality drugs; setting up specialized medical units, especially in the hinterlands; setting up specialized training institutes, developing research and creating paramedical centres.

To achieve this, there must be a total mobilization of resource from external and internal elites and most importantly from the local populations.

There is a need for appropriate microeconomic financial institutions with a good legal framework; flexible regulatory framework; fair interest rates;
Consideration of socio-cultural values; forms of the guarantees tailored to socio-cultural values and needs of the poor.

Government Policy is encouraging private initiative and more and more she is using organised groups to promote its policy as seen in law N° 92/006 of 04/08/92 and decree N° 92/455/PM of 23rd November 1992, regulating the creation of cooperatives and Common Initiative groups. The government of Cameroon and many donor organisations are now using these channels to enable people to help themselves and overcome the devastating effects of poverty. Let us like other Cameroonians encourage our population to organise themselves and get these people with charitable hearts to help us.

There has been considerable effort in the past to carry out joint ventures with various degrees of success. We have had groups like Semosengo in transportation, various Cooperative Movements, financial institutions like SSL and NIS, Credit Unions etc. We say BRAVO to our illustrious sons and daughters who started these initiatives. In spite of any past set backs, we should not give up. These should instead give us the courage to move from where they ended. The important thing is to learn from their mistakes and do better.

There have been recent efforts to mobilizing group effort to reduce poverty and more are on the way. Some individuals, Dr Christy Mbi, Mrs. Ogork Susan, Mrs. Lydia Njike, Mrs. Bertha Eta, and all the share holders with the support of some prominent elites, have taken up the challenge to come up with structures that will empower more people, bring about poverty reduction and create more jobs in Manyu Division. Two of these structures are the Manyu Integrated Farmers’ Cooperative Society (MIFCO) and The Community Bank, Mamfe (MC²)

MIFCO was registered on the 13th August 2003, under Registration N° FWI CO/02/03/36/08 at Buea with the status of a Cooperative with over 50 members comprising of groups and individuals. The head office is at the old Total filling station Mamfe Town and Mr Philip ASSEM ASSEM is the Manager.

The mission of MIFCO is to bring out the development potentials of Manyu Division in Natural and human resources to improve on the life style of the population.

In 2004 MIFCO opened a demonstration farm of plantains and maize with the aims of educating young farmers on modern farming methods and supplying improve seed variety to interested farmers.

In 2006, the Cooperative started a piggery farm and this attracted HIPC funding from the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Industry in Manyu Division.

In December 2006, MINEPIA enable us to put up a Pig Multiplication farm at Ewelle with a technical staff appointed to supervise the project in the Division and a provincial Coordinator appointed for the South West Province. A subvention of 1.5 million francs has been distributed to 16 pig framers in April 2007 to enable the farmers improve on their farms.

Achievements:
1. We have successfully sponsored the feasibility studies of the 03 project: poultry production maize production, small animal and rodents mentioned above.
We sponsored over 10 maize farmers by supplying them with the maize seeds and fertilizer in 2007.

2. We have supplied over 40 piglets to pig farmers as subvention from MINEPIA in 2008.

3. We opened our office in Mamfe town have recruited 3 attendants since December 2006. More recruitment is on the way with opening of the feed mill.

4. We have organised five training workshop for Animal breeders between 2005 and in 2008 in
Mamfe Town.

Future plans

a) We plan to regroup according to their fields of interest e.g. poultry farmers, small
ruminants and snail producers, butchers, marketing agents etc.

b) We plan to install 110 pig fatteners in all the four Sub Divisions by December 2010.

c) We plan to install an Animal Feed Processing plant by December 2008 in Mamfe town.

d) We plan to install 03 pig multiplication Centres in addition to the one in Ewelle by December
2010.

e) We plan to build 02 warehouses in Mamfe town, and EKOK by 2015. SOWEDA has
promised to build us the first warehouse in Mamfe.

f) Feasibility studies shall be order for ‘The promotion Poultry Farming in the Division with
emphasis on multiplication activities.

g) Feasibity studies shall be ordered for the Building of the first warehouse in Mamfe own
immediately funds are available to harbour our Headquarter too.

h) Capacity building Workshops shall continue to be organised as funds are available.

i) We expect the membership to increase.

Membership
Open to groups and individuals.
Registration 10.000 francs and buy at least 03 shares of 10.000 FCFA each payable within 03 months.

All that has been realised could not have been possible without the collaboration of MC². MC² finances some of the activities of MIFCO farmers by way of loans.

It is common knowledge that the people of the rural areas hardly have access to credit from the traditional banks because of lack of security. The Afriland First Bank, recognising this particular difficulty, decided to create the MC², The Community Bank, putting in place conditions which can be flexible and adapted to the conditions based on existing social structure and personal relations of confidence and trust. There are 68 MC² panted all over the nation and MC² Mamfe is one of them.


MC² is a micro rural community development micro bank created and managed by members of the community where the MC² is based. This policy of MC² respects the social, cultural and religious values of the people. MC² is technically and institutionally supported by Afriland First Bank and ADAF, Appropriate Foundation for Africa Foundation. With the New COBAC Laws each MC² is autonomous.

MC² helps the community to mobilise savings and make money available too for its members to borrow and carryout micro projects on agriculture, commerce and industrial activities and also in the social domains. This enables them to improve on their life style and of course their health.

MC² Mamfe was created in September 2000 with 156 registered members. Today we count over 800 members. The management comprises of four organs: the General Assembly, the Council of Elders, the Board of Directors and the Executive Secretariat, which handles the day to day running of the institution.

Activities

* Makes funds available for people to carry out development projects as groups or individuals.
* Transfers funds through Flash Cash within the country.
* Acting as credit agents for some financiers.
* Training of small scale entrepreneurs.
* Using technical assistance for monitoring and evaluating project.

Achievements

* MC² Mamfe has acquired a piece of land to build its headquarters in the near future.
* It has mobilised funds and given over 500 loans to the tune of 160 million francs with recovery rate of 82.5%.
* MC² is working in collaboration with different financiers like Gatsby Loan Scheme which is to promote women’s financial activities.
* SOWEDA Loan Scheme to promote animal breeding and fisheries.
* HIPC funds to promote agricultural activities.
* This money has been given as loans to the target population.
* Studies for a Multimedia centre that will at the same time enable more efficient money transfer

nationwide and abroad.
* Studies for an Elite Fund to enable individuals or groups to sponsor development projects for specific purposes.
* Continue to seek for partners that are willing to provide fund for our target population.

The doors of MC² and MIFCO are open to Manyu people at home and abroad. Join us in this empowerment process. Manyu people have great talents and natural resources, if well developed through organised groups, they can attain rapid economic empowerment and thus become a force to be reckoned with in Cameroon and the world.

PRESENTED BY MRS. OGROK SUSAN AT MEDWC EYUMOJOCK CONFERENCE

A SPEECH PRESENTED BY CHIEF ENGINEER MBI ORUH MICHEAL ON THE OCCASION OF THE 3RD EDITION OF THE MANYU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORLD CONFERENCE (MEDWC)

It is a unique privilege and singular honour for me as the President of the Manyu Economic Development World Conference (MEDWC) to welcome you to this two-yearly rendez-vous of Manyu sons and daughters living in the country and in the Diaspora. Permit me to seize this opportunity to welcome in a very special way, our brother, and World Patron of this association – His Excellency Victor Mengot Arrey Nkongho, Minister in Charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, who despite his tight schedule and exacting state duties, has found time to descend to his native soil to commune and participate during this great Economic Revitalisation Forum.We also acknowledge with great joy our brothers and sisters who have flown thousands of kilometres over seas and vast land masses to come to their roots to give aid to their less privileged ones and to give this occasion the weight it deserves. To those of you, who have been here at home stirring and kindling the fire of our homeland, I thank you for the concern you have for your beloved and cherished Division, Manyu.

Today’s conference shall be opened by the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, who has always demonstrated his commitment to developmental issues. The Minister in Charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic who is the representative of the Prime Minister will open the conference. The Minister will be focusing on his vision for the Manyu people.

It is proper at this point to refresh our memories and inform those who are attending MEDWC meetings for the first time, the mission of our organisation:

1. Organise a two yearly Economic Conference rotating among the four sub - divisions to promote Economic Growth by encouraging and facilitating the creation of Small and
Medium-size Businesses to serve as the backbone of Manyu Economy.

2. Promote investments and business initiatives with potentials for profit to investors.

3. Serve as a think-tank to promote sustainable grass root self-reliant development concepts which can be implemented by groups, NGO’s or Entrepreneurs. Such concepts will be published in the conference proceedings and made available to the public.

4. Raise funds in collaboration with MAPADEF and stakeholders to undertake a project in the host sub- division. The project would have been identified before the conference and may be in the initiation or final completion phase.

5. Improve the health care delivery system within the division.

6. Provide technological assistance to the local communities, local secondary schools and the local hospitals to increase efficiency.

Dear conference participants

The theme of this conference, which is “Economic Empowerment for Growth and Poverty Alleviation”, will focus on ways and means of developing a viable oil palm sector in Manyu Division, where soil and agro-climatic conditions for oil palm growing, are among the best in Cameroon. Let me say it here loud and clear that MEDWC is here to work in partnership with the Council, the Government and Manyu Economic Stakeholders.

We will have Dr. ETTA Culbertson, a renowned International Research Officer in the oil palm sector to present a key paper on our strategy to create wealth and jobs through the development of the oil palm sector. Dr. ETTA works with one of the largest palm oil companies in Cameroon – PAMOL Plantations Public Limited Company based in Ndian Division.

The conference comprises of two sessions: the plenary and work in committees to be chaired by a conference Chairperson. We are expected to come out with concrete solutions to Manyu economic problems. I therefore appeal to participants to be precise in their deliberations for maximum utilisation of time. We have forty eight hours to x-ray our economic situation.

We will have altogether six distinguished speakers covering a wealth of interesting topics such as Growth and Poverty Alleviation, Impact of Socio – cultural Attitude on Development, Obstacles to the Promotion of the Cameroonian Women, Sourcing for Finances (MAPADEF plan of action), Developing a Communal Spirit as a Gateway to Economic Empowerment, and Effective Enforcement of the Wildlife Law.

On this occasion, MEDWC would like to thank all the eminent speakers who have graciously come on their own, and to some special doctors of the Manyu Solidarity Foundation, for their continuous sacrifice to the Manyu Community. It gives me the occasion to announce that some of them will be recognised tomorrow by MEDWC.

I would also like to thank all those who have contributed to the successful hosting of MEDWC 2008, irrespective of the odds, particularly the propaganda machinery which was put in place by some Eyumojock Elites to frustrate the event.

Appreciation and gratitude are also due to H.E. Chief Ephraim INONI, Prime Minister, Head of Government, for his generous decision to patronise the conference. I believe we could now look forward to an interesting and fruitful exchange of information in the next two days of the conference, which is to be closed at 5.00 pm by the Minister in Charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic, H.E. MENGOT Victor ARREY-NKONGHO.

Thank you for your kind attention.

MENGOT VICTOR's VISION OF HOPE PROJECT FOR MANYU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The heroic efforts of Manyu Division to develop itself into a prosperous and fully integrated part of this Great Nation of ours have characterized our people over the years as being steadfast patriots, with unusual genius for excellence and fraternity.

Mamfe Division, as it was then called did not play second fiddle in Political, Economic and Social transactions with its contemporaries. Mamfe town with its Inland Port fascilities at the Cross-River Confluence was second only to Victoria Sea Port Town, and played host to multinational giants such as THE UNITED AFRICAN COMPANY (UAC); CADBURY AND FRY, JOHN HOLT,THE INTERNATIONAL INLAND HOTEL, with their Social and Industrial Infrastructures. One cannot forget local entrepreneurs such as Confidence Company, AKPE ANDEYOH with consumer depots and distribution complexes. Situated at the gateway to the largest Economic block in West Africa (ECOWAS), Mamfe town enjoyed the fall outs from her strategic emplacement at this triple junction between the greater western region and the southwest.

Manyu exploited her comparative geographic, human and economic advantages to the optimum and became a regional economic center. This peak in economic development brought along with it the BESONGABANG International Airport; whose futuristic navigational beacons (still functional today), continue to give direction and azimuth to global air traffic and activity.

Since then, Manyu has remained steadfast and tenacious in wait for better posture to materialize her quest for prosperity, wellbeing and economic integration.

II.) VISION OF HOPE PROJECT:

If Mamfe had slumbered into enclavement and consequent economic down turn for a good part of our lives, there is every indication today that our yearning for better times has at last been answered. Two of the arteries that link Manyu to the Greater west (Bamenda, Bafoussam, Dschang, Foumban,) and to ECOWAS have at long last received funding for construction.

This gesture is laden with political goodwill and promise from His Excellency the Head of State, President PAUL BIYA to the people of Eyumojock in particular, to the Manyu people and the whole country at large; and we cannot remain indifferent to a Magnanimous act of this nature. On behalf of the people of Mamfe and on the occasion of this August Forum for Economic Empowerment, I would like to express our gratitude, for our problems of roads have at long last been brought to the personal attention of our Head of State.

From this point onwards Manyu needs to seize every opportunity to materialize her aspirations for prosperity and national economic integration by tapping from its genius, propensity for excellence and collective enterprise. We have therefore come forth with two projects which will galvanize our spirit of collective enterprise and fortify the nucleus and symbol of our Oneness i.e. (Mamfie) Mamfe:

i- Development of modern neighborhoods in Mamfe town
ii- Development of a Tri-Star Hotel Complex (at old Inland Hotel site).

1) MODERN NEIGHBOURHOODS:

This is a participatory project par excellence where modern new - layouts (neighborhood) sites are developed for procurement and ownership by Manyu Elements at affordable prices according to their financial reach. (See flyers).

Four cardinal and strategic sites have been identified for procurement and development at;
- Laterite pit (100 hectares)
- Okoyong Badi – bridge (200 hectares)
- Eshobi –G.B.H.S plateau (200 hectares)
- Baku – Antenna - Banya enclave (100 hectares)

a) OKOYONG BADI – BRIDGE (200 HECTARES)
Located at the entrance to Mamfe town from Kumba, Fontem, Bamenda, the area has a strategic emplacement which can be exploited to give a spectacular vista for the new city of Mamfe.

b) ESHOBI – GBHS PLATEAU (200 HECTARES)

Located at about 400 meters above sea level the Eshobi GBHS plateau stands on the skyline about 300 meters above the Mamfe old town, and is made up of a rolling platform of virgin land composed of savannah sandstone crust interspersed by oasis of luxuriant secondary forest, farms and grassland sprawling downwards to meet the northern banks of the Manyu river.

c) LATERITE PIT (100 HECTARES)
d) BANYA - BAKU - BADI ENCLAVE.

Design:

Prototypes shall range from well tailored bungalows, through moderate multi-floor construction to increasingly complex choices, articulated with the highest professional dexterity that will make the neighbourhoods the latest new layouts in our country. (See flyers). Cost range will be from 15 million to 25 million francs, 30 million to 50 million francs, and from 55 million francs upwards. The design will be picturesque, yet characterized by architectural simplicity, gentle green shaded surroundings, mosaic esplanades and visual amenity. The vision is to initiate a blueprint for modernizing the city of Mamfe through ownership and investment.

2) TRI – STAR HOTEL COMPLEX:

Is a joint venture, participatory investment project to put a befitting Hotel complex (3 stars) with amusement parks, shopping and commercial center, indoor and outdoor entertainment and multipurpose plazas. This hotel complex will be a meeting point for both recreation and business and conferences (see flyer) and will serve as a place of call to tourists and business entrepreneurs to and from the East and West.

III.) CONCLUSION:

The main thrust of our vision of hope having thus been achieved i.e. Consolidating the nucleus of Manyu (Mamfe town) so that the constituent elements (sub divisions) do not fall apart; our old spirit of rallying together (Nchemti – Ochem ) would spur us to greater heights and bring the fall outs of prosperity naturally back to our four sub – divisions.

We would by so doing all be rebuilding the walls of the biblical city in ruins and bequeathing monumental and indelible foundations for progress to our progeny.