Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Paul Tasong, has reaffirmed the Cameroonian government's commitment to rebuilding the Northwest and Southwest regions, which have been hit by crisis. As National Coordinator of the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD-NO/SO), he highlighted the progress made and the persistent challenges in an interview with News du Cameroun.
According to Minister Tasong, the reconstruction process is progressing "normally." Schools, health centers and water supply systems are being rehabilitated in both regions. At the same time, peace-building initiatives are being conducted to facilitate the implementation of the presidential plan. The three-year recovery phase is built around three pillars: promoting social cohesion, rehabilitating basic social infrastructure and revitalizing the local economy. The main objective of this phase is to enable affected populations to regain a minimum of autonomy. Subsequent phases will aim to consolidate gains and structurally transform the regions through the revival of agro-industries and the construction of large-scale projects.
Paul Tasong highlighted the massive support of the population for the PPRD-NO/SO, while recognizing the initial concerns that have been allayed through an inclusive and participatory approach. A study on the socio-economic impacts of the crisis revealed a deterioration of indicators between 2017 and 2019, with sectors such as agriculture, industry and foreign trade affected. However, 2020 marked a reversal of the trend, with a perceptible recovery in economic and social activities, including an increase in school enrolment and a recovery in agricultural production.
The Grand National Dialogue, convened by President Paul Biya, formulated recommendations to end the crisis, which are currently being implemented by the government. These recommendations, combined with the PPRD-NO/SO, have contributed to a gradual calming of tensions and a recovery of socio-economic activities. The Minister also mentioned the need to strengthen the culture of accountability and systematize the participatory approach to definitively restore confidence between the population and the authorities.
The initial budget for the PPRD-NO/SO was 89 billion FCFA. As of December 31, 2021, the State of Cameroon had already paid 10% of the total amount, and Japan was the only foreign partner to have contributed financially. Despite the difficulties encountered, the government remains determined to mobilize additional resources to ensure the success of the plan and sustainably transform the Northwest and Southwest regions.
