The Country Director of the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB, Mohamdou Awal has rated as “Satisfactory” the level of projects implementation financed by his institution through the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development, PPRD during his mid-term evaluation visit to Bamenda, January 28.
The evaluation visit gave the Director firsthand evidence of work progress in the reconstruction efforts, with projects currently underway in 20 of 24 targeted subdivisions, and also an opportunity for him to listen to projects beneficiaries and stakeholders, the reality on the ground. Spanning three pillars – Infrastructural rehabilitation, Social economy revitalization, and Social cohesion, the projects constitute grey matter in fostering peacebuilding and rebirth in a region which is in ruins from the hands of armed separatists.
While remarking his satisfaction, Mohamdou Awal charged project stakeholders to deliver within stipulated timeline. “We have seen what has been done. We have met with the authorities and the various Mayors who have benefitted and their appraisal is satisfactory,” he voiced during the assessment meeting at the MINEPAT Hall in Bamenda.
Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, focus has been on community development through revival of economic activities and resuscitation of vandalized public infrastructure. Schools across the seven divisions of the Region have been rehabilitated, equipped. Additional initiatives include water supply extensions, socio-cultural activities, and the distribution of agricultural seedlings.
Regrettably, the National Coordinator of the PPRD, Motuba Tamajong Obase, frowned at the vandalization of a community project in Balikumbat. He challenged local mayors in attendance to sensitize their communities to accept and own the reconstruction projects.
To Ihimbru Solomon, Mayor of Benakuma Council, the quality of projects implementation is inclusive, encompassing faith-based institution and across demographic representation. “The quality of work in the field is all embracing. All the denominations have been involved, especially those that take care of the education of our children, those who take care of the health of our populations,” he noted. “The PPRD is doing a great job,” he added.
Challenges which surfaced during the evaluation meeting include difficulty to access project sites due to security threats and poor road networks. In some communities, project materials could only be transported using motorbikes, and to the worst extent, transported by humans manually. This has resulted in slow-paced works in some areas and increased cost in the implementation process. “In future, we can take advantage of these challenges and see how to better model our projects,” Mohamdou responded to these challenges.
Funded with an envelope of 21 billion FCFA, the initiative covers 47 municipalities across the North West and South West Regions, with a commitment to complete and deliver projects by December 2026.
Jennyhans Nde
