The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Bui Division, opinion leaders and political authorities have admitted that the sudden death of former Transport Minister, Christopher Nsahlai, is a big blow to the development of the Division.

Christopher Nsahlai, former Minister, career diplomat and current Board Chairman of the Douala Ports Authority died in Yaounde on Friday, April 18, after actively participating in the weeklong cultural festival of his native Nso, Bui Division.

In the wake of such demise, The Post contacted some opinion leaders to assess the deceased's contribution to the development of Bui."One can't be indifferent to such an incident. He was such a personality of great repute in the Division. His recent contribution towards the success of the Ngonnso cultural festival was remarkable.

We can only but ensure continuity in the interest of the people of Bui", Lawrence Shey Tasha, former Bui I CPDM Section President and Nsahlai's former adversary, told The Post, Saturday, April 19, over the phone. He, however, said he had since reconciled with Nsahlai.

According to Bibian Yah Sah Singeh, former WCPDM Bui I President, Nshalai was the hope of most Banso people. She sees Nshalai's departure as a big loss, especially as they expected the President to soon reward his hard work with another Ministerial position that would enhance the development the Northwest Province in its entirety.

According to Hon. Andrew Mngo Kwei, Member of Parliament, MP, for Oku/Noni constituency, Pa Nsahlai has not stayed long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labour. He cited the Jakiri special constituency where Nsahlai worked hard for the victory of the CPDM Party in the municipal and legislative elections.

"He was one of the leading elite and a force to reckon with. I think he was a bulldozer. Nso people have lost a powerful one. Politically, he assisted in sharing Bui into several constituencies. I still think that he had much for Nso and Bui Division", declared Hon Lawrence Ngoran, SDF MP for the Nkum / Mbiame Constituency.

According to Donatus Fonyuy Njong, Mayor of the Kumbo Council, the CPDM in Bui has lost a fierce fighter and an unstoppable combatant. "It is, however, difficult to identify any legacy he left in Bui", Mayor Njong added.

Despite this overall positive assessment of the fallen CPDM baobab and renowned statesman, Hon. Audu Nsanyuy, former SDF MP for Jakiri constituency thinks differently. Hear him;

"He's done very little in terms of development of Bui. He's been an ambassador, an influential position which he could have equally used to do things for his people. That he did not do. It was not until Biya appointed him Minister that he arrogated to himself the position of a leader of Bui people. He was simply practicing the politics of give and take, a smoke screen type of leadership for egoistic aims.

He has equally destroyed the tradition of the Nso people by taking the Fon out to do politics in the streets with commoners. I'm not MP today thanks to his handiwork and corrupt practices".

On his part, Bui SDO, Daniel Panjouono, expressed shock at the untimely death of the Minister."We were together on Sunday, April 13, and he invited me to be part of his occasion in the Nso Palace where he addressed the Manjong. There was no indication that he was suffering from anything.

He was quite active, dancing and stood for over two hours talking to the Manjong. You can imagine the shock on the news of his death", the Administrator said.He said Pa Nsahlai's vision included a benefiting structure for the Jakiri Council office, and the ongoing construction work on the Grand stand. He said Nsahlai's personal presence at all major events in the Division was proof of his love for the area.

"Minister Nsahlai encouraged people to be involved in the development of their area of origin. Though too attached to Jakiri, his sub-division of origin, he had a dream for the entire Division. He wanted to transform Jakiri sub-division to prove that the CPDM victory was not an accident. In short, I think his passing away is a great loss for Bui Division and Jakiri in particular", the SDO said.