allAfrica.com: Cameroon: Government Grants More Assistance To Bakassi Inhabitants (Page 1 of 1)

Social Affairs Minister, Catherine Bakang Mbock, offered material and financial assistance while in Isangele, Akwa, Mundemba and Ekondo Titi.

Social Affairs Minister, Catherine Bakang Mbock, has braved the creek waters of the Bakassi Peninsula handing tri-cycles, wheel chairs, radio sets, hearing aids, white canes, food items and cash to hundreds of needy inhabitants of the Bakassi area in Ndian Division of the South West Province. Minister Bakang Mbock boarded a flying boat at 9.30am, 2 April, in Ekondo-Titi for a 1hour 50-minute sail to Isangele through the creek-waters and the rough river tributaries. After Isangele, the Minister navigated for another 40 minutes to Akwa, headquarters of Kombo Abedimo Sub-Division, before returning to Mundemba, capital of Ndian Division same day.

The Minister was accompanied by South West Governor's representative Ndode Messape Benard, provincial Gendarmerie, Military and Police bosses, Provincial Delegate of Social Affairs, Chief Asongtia Valentine, the Senior Divsional Officer for Ndian, Ngong Ngalim Irenee and Directors at the Social Affairs Ministry (MINAS).

Minister Bakang Mbock told beneficiaries in Isangele that the gesture of giving them financial, nutritional and material assistance was not like rendering them dependent, but rather to continue Government effort in fighting against social exclusion. She explained that beneficiaries were individuals, groups and associations identified by social workers of MINAS. The Minister called on beneficiaries to use the assistance to improve on their living conditions and enhance their autonomy and social reintegration. She invited the population to be actively involved in the fight against child labour, abuse, neglect, trafficking and the marginalization of the elderly and disabled.

At the various laps of the visit, the energetic Minister Bakang Mbock, echoed President Paul Biya's greetings and concern for the local population calling for peace, harmony and the love for Cameroon.

The Minister opened her four-day tour to the South West Province 1st April making a first stop over in the Meme divisional capital, Kumba, then to Ekondo Titi where the Minister worked round the clock to get extra funds to regulate another situation of disappeared funds. Ngangue Victor Marcel Mende, Divisional Officer for Ekondo-Titi.

Minister Bakang Mbock left the South West Province on Friday 4 April after her last stop over in the Buea-based Borstal Institute of Juvenile Reformation. At Isangele like in Akwa (Kombo Abedimo) the major request of Mayors Caroline Usim Mewanu ( 1st deputy ) and Aboko Patrick respectively was that the Government should rehabilitate the Mundemba-Isangele-Akwa road to avert the risks of always accessing the area by sea. According to many residents of the area, to disenclave the zone will equally enhance the full occupation of that part of the country by the Cameroon Government. Other grievances recorded by Minister Bakang Mbock included the compensation of victims of the Bakassi crisis, extra motivation for state workers in the Bakassi area and more infrastructure as state sign posts in the area. Minister Bakang Mbock has returned to Yaounde with three major traditional titles from Isangele (Ma Ombum) or Mother of Mothers, Mundemba (Moroki) or Highest Woman with a net and basket, and Ekondo-Titi (Ebongo) Chair to sit on and reflect on national issues.

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