The Japanese Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Kunio Okamura, on February 3, 2016, in Bamenda, met with the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, during which they discussed cooperation between the two countries. The Ambassador was on his way to Lake Nyos area in Boyo and Menchum Divisions to visit a Japanese-funded lake degasing project.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Kunio Okamura said the Japanese government has been funding and taking part in the monitoring of volcanic activities in the lake since the 1986 gas disaster to avoid any future occurrence. He said it was his first visit to the region since taking up duties last year. The diplomat added that it was also his first time of meeting with Governor Lele Lafrique. On his part, Governor Lele L’Afrique thanked the Japanese government for the support given to Cameroon since 1986 in providing expertise in preventing any future gas eruption.

He said survivors and descendants of the August 21, 1986 Lake Nyos Gas Disaster needed roads and social amenities like water and classrooms. The Governor said government has taken steps to provide some of the needs, but much was still lacking. Lele Lafrique solicited the support of foreign partners like Japan in order to improve the living conditions of the people, noting that a security perimeter around the lake has been earmarked. This he explained, will with time enable people displaced by the disaster to return to areas not included in the security perimeter.