Thursday, June 4, 2009

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.

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