2014 Management Report Presented By The Board Chair Mr. Tabuefor Aloysious On The Occasion Of 2014 Ordinary Water Congress Of The Bambui Water Authority On Saturday The 21st Of Febuary 2015 At The Bambui Fon’s Palace

The Divisional Officer Tubah Sub Division,

The Lord Mayor, Tubah

HRH, The king of Bambui,

The Chairman, BVC and BOD Chair of BAWA

The President General-BACUDA

Dear Consumers of BAWA

Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen.

Ten months have already elapsed since the last historical congress of BAWA which held in this palace last year.

You all were eye witnesses to those democratic elections which put in place the present management board.

Formally and on behalf of the management board of BAWA, I salute you all and deep in my heart heartily thank you for coming.  

We express our sincere thanks as well   to the Bambui village council for the transparent manner which the elections were conducted and the result presented

Your coming out here today is not for a safari trip but to listen, discuss and take stock of our activities for last year and appreciate our projections for 2015 with regards to the better management of our water scheme

The world is fast changing and water challenges are becoming more and more complex needing very fast solutions. That is one of the reasons for which we are here today, and therefore you have to be part of the brain boxes for the deliberations taking place today. You have come here as proud people who even at this moment of water crisis can boast that at least there is always enough water for a school child to drink.

The year 2014, was one of remarkable change for BAWA. The impact of the change was felt in the following domains.

CONSTITUTION

The constitution of BAWA was completely reviewed and the 2014 version carries a lot of modifications from the 2011 version. We heartily thank all the stakeholders who made the necessary sacrifices, worked day and night to see this happen for the general interest of our dear village and for better management of our water scheme.

The management board is gradually putting in place all the articles of the new constitution.

CATCHMENT PROTECTION

In the area of catchment protection, we planted 2300 trees were planted  in catchments 1, 3 & 4 at upper IRAD farms 300 of  which  were an offer from a local NGO. Though these efforts are constantly being made at heavy financial costs for the sustainability of our water resources, we wish to decry these acts of destruction of these catchments by farmers and some well educated members of our own village community, an act which is highly decried.

STRUCTURES                                                                                                                          

For better treatment of the water we supply to the population, we constructed a new sand wash slab for better washing of sand for the water treatment station at Atoue.

WATER METERS INSTALLATION:

The installation of water meters to help control water wastage is still a major concern. Projected but not yet realized due to lack of appropriate meters, it has been concluded  that with the   assistance of RAD Cameroon,  this  project shall  see the light of day this 2015.

NETWORK MAINTENANCE

The pipe line network suffered from lot of leakages resulting from narrow depth of pipes in certain areas and destruction caused by Lorries conveying heavy building materials. This took much in terms of finances to maintain.

As this was not enough the entire network line from the University of Bamenda to Bambui suffered total destruction following a road construction exercise. The unfortunate thing here is that the consumer population has suffered for more than two months since the line could not be re-linked in good time because of lack of the needed materials.

-The destruction on the trunk line caused by the Tubah Council is still being repaired with expenses already amounting to an enormous sum of above 2.5million francs of borrowed materials. The uncompleted portion of the pipeline is due to lack of the necessary materials. An appeal addressed to the Tubah council to assist remedy this situation has not yet been answered to.

CAR WASH POINT USERS

BAWA failed to register collaboration from the users of the car wash points along the Atunui stream despite repeated calls on them to own up to their responsibility. The result of this is that the projected income from this source was not realized. We do not see how people can exploit resources and would refuse to pay tribute. This is an attitude which must come to an end if we have to be thinking of sustainability for all hands must be put on deck for this to be realized.

WATER CONGRESS

Due to the nature and calendar of activities last year, BAWA held two congresses. The first was an extra ordinary congress in which the new and current constitution was adopted and the second was an ordinary congress which took place on the 9^th of June in which the new structures or organigram of BAWA was put in place. We are proud that both congresses were very successful and we would like to use this forum to thank the entire Bambui population in general for their show of maturity and the administration of Tubah for always being by our side in the realization of our dreams.

LEGAL MATTERS

- Last year, we reported some cases we were pursuing in court. Two of those cases at the high court of Mezam all ended in our favour.  There is only one pending matter at the appeal court which we hope would not be above us God willing.

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE:

NEW CONNECTIONS:

-While work is currently going on along the trunk lines, the connection of water to private residences is also progressing as there are a number of new connections that are being done every month especially as more and houses are constructed around. This large number of new connections has contributed a lot to shortages in the water supply. We however hope that this problem would be solved when the new catchment goes operational.

WATER SANITATION:

-Throughout the year, our greatest head ache has been that of getting the appropriate sand for the water treatment station at Atoue. The cause being the collapse of the bridge to the sand pit that has this material along the Wum road.  However we remain optimistic since we received the first consignment of the sand last week. Water quality testing started by Reignite Action for Development last year has to be continued by BAWA this year to ensure that good quality water is supplied to the population to curb incidences of water borne diseases.

LABOUR DAY PARTICIPATION:

-For the past two years BAWA   has been taking part in the Labour Day activities in Bamenda and is again to do so this year.

2015 VISION

Our Main priority for 2015 shall be the construction of a new water source at the IRAD farms. We are very convinced that additional water to come from this very rich source would greatly remedy the situation of constant water shortages.  

The contractor to do the work has already been selected. Very soon we shall be turning to the population to assist in digging the pipeline. Studies are also underway for water extension to Ndzebuer quarter.

REVIEW OF WORKERS’SITUATION:

- To better the working condition of the workers, we approved salary advancement and transport allowances  for them with effect from month of January 2015.

- Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, without wishing to bore you  much, permit me to end here. Happy and fruitful deliberations.

 Thank you very much.

Signed

 Tabuefor  A. Aloysious

A Speech Delivered By The Chairman Of The Bambui Village Council And Chairman Of The Board Of Directors Of The Bambui Water Authority (Bawa) On The Occasion Of The 2014 Water Congress On The 21st Of Febuary 2015 In The Fon’s Palace

THE DIVISIONAL OFFICER- TUBAH SUB DIVISION

THE MAYOR- TUBAH SUBDIVISION

HRH THE FON OF BAMBUI

THE PRESIDENT GENERAL BACUDA

DEAR CONSUMERS

LADIES AND GENTLE MEN,

L to R: Mr. Tabuefor A. Amungwafor, Mr. Ache A. Fonkwa & Mr. Polycarp Chungong

 Once again, the Almighty God has endowed us with grace to meet again at this very historic arena like last year.

Permit me to take this opportunity in my capacity as the chairman of the Bambui Village Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bambui Water Authority (BAWA) and organizer of this congress to welcome you all to this August assembly.

Like last year, we noticed the enthusiasm with which you have taken precious time from your very busy schedules and your loved ones to attend to our invitations.

This shows the place of choice Bambui in general and water occupies in your hearts.

I will like to use this opportunity too to heartily thank all of you for the sacrifices we both made last year to put in place the new organigram of BAWA, through those very transparent and memorable elections.

It is true that nothing human is perfect, but you would agree with me that we have moved a giant step forward through that process in the management of our own affairs.

From those elections till now, we have successfully put in place those structures that were created in the new constitution and most of them are now working effectively.

The board of directors has held all its statutory sessions in which they received management board decisions, examined and gave appropriate orientation where it was necessary.

It is worth mentioning to you that the working relationship between the two boards is cordial                                                               

As usual, we are gathered here today, to look into how far we went last year in the management of our water scheme and chart the way forward for further development for 2015.

Like any human endeavour you may probably notice some imperfections in the organization of this congress, consider as human shortcomings rather than any deliberate intention on our part to keep you uncomfortable.

In this direction, I am calling on the very positive and active participation of each of you present in the forum to enable us come out with good decisions which would go a long way to foster our development.

Permit me as well, to use this  forum to thank Reignite Action for Development (RAD) for  the active role they have so far played, are playing and would still play to enable us come out of current water challenges that abound around the world  to which our  scheme is no exception.

We equally highly appreciate His Royal Highness, the Fon of Bambui and the entire administration of Tubah for constantly being by our side as illustrated here s each time we need their assistance.

To all present, we wish you happy welcome, a pleasant stay amongst us and happy deliberations

Long live the Bambui Water Authority,

Long live Tubah Sub Division,

Long live the Republic of Cameroon.

Signed

Ache Andrew Fonkwa.

CCAST Bambili Students Told To Fully Embrace Bilingualism

Mr. Bumuh Simon Viyoh

Students of the Cameroon College of Arts Science and Technology (CCAST) Bambili have been called upon to unquestionably embrace Bilingualism in view of the role it plays. This appeal came from the principal of the college Mr. Bamuh Simon Viyoh while addressing these students during the celebration of the 2015 edition of the Nationwide Bilingualism day in Cameroon.

In the words of the school administrator, he pinpointed the usefulness of Bilingualism in the tourism industry, scientific exchanges media exploration while equally inviting teachers, parents and students alike to play their required role for this to be achieved in all the forms it deserves.

Prior to the principal’s speech, CCAST Head of Department for French Mr. Fokou Robert had read out the speech from the Minister of Secondary Education in which the importance of Bilingualism was stressed in a global world calling on parents to fully motivate their children to truly face bilingualism by changing their attitudes to other official language be it English or French as the case may be.

During the ceremony within CCAST campus two drama pieces took center stage which showed the consequences of not being bilingual where some doctors and spouses are alleged take advantage of the monolingual nature of people in society and exploit them in various ways etc.

In other cultural activities, students used their bilingualism included ballots and traditional dances. From their acting, it is clear that they understood and will toe the line of bilingualism.

Mr. Muluh Louis of the English language did not remind un-heard as he in an academic discourse traced the historical intelligibility between English and French stressing the place of English as the international language of science and commerce.

It is on CCAST Bambili records that a good number of students are of francophone parents who are passing a pursing English subsystem of education. In his closing remarks, Principal Bamuh Simon was visibly satisfied with the performances of his students as well as teachers whose unique role gave birth to success the day had.

He remarked that “slowly and almost imperceptibly, bilingualism week and day are having their desired effect as one could see the kids willing to participate irrespective of whether they made errors of not.”

Anthony Chungong

GTHS Bali Gets HP Computers

34HP Computers have been donated to GTHS Bali by an international nongovernmental organization called Ashai.ch based in Switzerland. Handing over the computers, Cameroon’s home representative of Ashai.ch, Ba Feh Gregory Bigala revealed that the didactic assistance is based on a plea which the school administration headed by the Principal Mr. Foncham Ephraim extended to Ashai.ch to help the school with computers as a means to facilitating the teaching/learning process of students. Moreso as it has become a subject in public examinations in the country. He equally made mention to the interest which Ashai.ch has already portrayed in the areas of education especially technical education.

The 34HP Computers have the latest innovations in personal computers. The home base representativeof Asahi.ch, Ba Feh Gregory prayed for a good use of the computers. Apart from that the home base representative of Ashai.ch made it know that Ashai.ch has given similar assistance to other schools in Bali Sub Division.

The benefactor, Mr. Foncham Ephraim on behalf of the school was thankful to Ashai.ch for the timely assistance.

Bali Nyonga Scholars Hit Harvard and Yale, the World’s Finest Universities – For Post Doctoral Professional Studies.

Dr. Gordon Kunbuma Tachang, a clinician and now on a post doctoral professional training at Harvard University, School of Public Health, Boston MA and Dr. Duga Titanji a very renowned lawyer who is currently a Yale World Fellow, also on a post doctoral study at Yale University. Post doctoral studies are academic endeavours open only to PhD holders.

While Dr. Duga Titanji is a lecturer of Law, Dr. Gordon Kunbuma Tachang is a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and also founding partner of the EDGE construction company that started as Telebusiness in Bamenda.

Again, it may be worth nothing that Barack Obama is the US President, thanks to the fact that he and wife Michele Obama are both Harvard graduates. Franklin Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy are also Harvard University graduates. The very renowned former US Secretary of State, Henry Kessinger attended Harvard University, earning a B.A. in 1950 and a PhD in 1954. The famous American adage “From Homeless to Harvard” is a very popular expression depicting the successful achievements of the American dream. This expression earns a lot of relevance since about 105.000US dollars (53 million FCFA) is needed for year of studies at Harvard. This of course is not affordable to the average American. Of course you can only bother about this tuition only after admission which is neither easy nor obvious. For example, each year, out of 34,295 applicants for Harvard University, only 5.9% (i.e. 1,921) get admitted. The current World Bank President Dr. Kim (MD, PhD), a Harvard graduate is a founding partner of the Boston based charity Partners in Health (PIH) and was erstwhile Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. Simply put, the Harvard experience rules the world…

The most recent classification of world universities is shown below:

GRUP Survey – 2014 is open now The Global Research University Profiles (GRUP) project was conduct by the Center for World Class Universities (CWCU)

As for the University of Yale, it is very famous for its Law School and President Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush are graduates of this “ivy league” school. The term ‘ivy league’ has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and social elitism. The eight Ivy League institutions are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

Total enrollments, including graduate students, range from approximately 6.100 at Dartmouth to over 20.000 at Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, and Pennsylvania.

Harvard University was founded in 1636 by John Harvard. The statue of John Harvard is the third most visited statue in the US after the statue of Liberty in New York and Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Ivy League financial endowments range from Brown’s $3.2 billion to Harvard’s $36.4 billion, the largest financial endowment of any academic institution in the world.

Other Bali Nyonga scholars attended these Ivy League schools like Dr. Eric Fogan (MD, PhD) and Kumbella Bridget (RN) attended Columbia University for post graduate programs, Mr. Fondong Julis (Harvard). They are all following the footsteps of their elders Dr. Ndifonta Nyamndi who earned his PhD from the prestigious London School of Economics and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vincent P.K. Titanji – PhD from the University of Upsalla, Sweden. Associate Professors Charles Fokunang (PhD Ibadan, Nigeria) and Galega Samgena (PhD Arbedeen, UK) are all warning up for the full professoral titles. All these contemporary scholars are in the footstep of late Charles Chifini Tachang, a very smart scholar whose classmate in CPC Bali was lat Nzo Ekanga (former OAU Secretary General). The cold hands of death stole him away immediately he earned a scholarship to further his studies in London in the late 1950’s.

The Bali Nyonga PhD Holders is an ever expanding club with over 60 members. It is hoped that this group meet regularly to brainstorm in view of charting the Bali Nyonga’s new way forward culturally, politically, developmentally and otherwise.

Of course all these contemporary scholars have the royal blessing of His Majesty Dr. Doh Ganyonga III, paramount Fon of Bali Nyonga who earned his PhD in Sociology with distinction [suna cum laude]. This must have made his designation as Senator, nearly inevitable, political considerations notwithstanding. It is hoped that other politicians and Cameroon at large, tap from the ever flowing intellectual fountain of His Majesty, the Paramount Fon of Bali Nyonga.