Meeting in Buea, on July 24, within the framework of the participatory follow-up of projects under the Public Investment Budget in the South West Region (SW), Parliamentarians, Mayors, civil society, vote holders, and experts of various services expressed dismay over the bad state of roads in the area. The committee whose session was opened by Quetong Handerson Kongeh, Permanent Secretary at the South West Governor's Office and conducted by its statutory Chairman, Honourable Bokwe Samuel, affirmed that the situation was even more vexing as the Region is to host the historic 50th Anniversary of Reunification.

Information from the SW Regional Delegation of Public Works reveal that a total of 2,755.7 km of roads exists in the Region, 1.581.8 km of which are rural roads, 898.2 km earth roads and 275.7 km paved roads. Mid-year, only 33.63 per cent of the total 522 projects for the South West is physically accomplished for 09.65 per cent financial disbursements.

To mark their worry, the members of the committee resolved to expedite a missive to the Minister of Public Works informing him of the deplorable condition. Mbella Moki Charles, Mayor of Buea, raised fears that the impassable roads from the hinterlands may hinder the expected crowd at the up coming reunification event.

The Regional Delegate of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Ivo Eseke Bende, expressed optimism that in spite of the time lapse most of the projects will be finished before the year runs out. Another resolution was an appeal to the powers that be to include traditional rulers in the reception committees of realised jobs. Analysing the rate of execution of public investment projects by July in the six administrative Divisions of the South West, Ndian tops the chart with a 67.60 per cent physical execution of her 97 projects. Manyu follows with 57.11 per cent of its 64 projects. The third is Meme with 41.67 per cent of 72 projects, Fako, 31.43 per cent of 86 projects, Kupe Muanenguba, 28.55 per cent of 63 projects and Lebialem tails the ladder with 19.69 per cent material achievement of its 81 projects. The other regional projects, numbering 59, are only 09.47 per cent substantially finished.