By Gilla Everdine
The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, will embark on his third official visit to Bamenda this week.
The visit, which coincides with the 7th Session of the Steering Committee of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW), is widely seen as a renewed push to accelerate development and peace efforts in the crisis-hit region.
Bamenda, often referred to as the President’s “second home,” has endured persistent insecurity and armed conflict since 2016.
The Prime Minister’s visit, his first since 2021, is viewed as a sign of the government’s determination to rebuild both infrastructure and public trust.Since taking office in 2019, PM Dion Ngute has made peace through development a cornerstone of his engagements in the region.
His last visit marked a major milestone with the near-completion of the Bamenda-Babajou road, a vital artery that has since eased transportation challenges and stimulated economic activity.
This time, the Prime Minister is expected to break new ground with the launch of a long-awaited intra-urban road network. Sources close to the PPRD-NW/SW Steering Committee say the project is designed to improve mobility within the city, reduce travel time, and support local businesses responding to residents’ longstanding calls for better urban infrastructure.
Beyond the roadworks, PM Dion Ngute is slated to evaluate progress across a range of other initiatives, including the expansion of education facilities, water and sanitation upgrades, support for livelihoods, and the ongoing construction of the football stadium in Mendankwe.
His visit comes at a critical moment, as government officials, civil society actors, traditional leaders, and religious authorities converge for the Steering Committee session to take stock of reconstruction efforts.
Residents of Bamenda are keenly awaiting concrete commitments, not just the ceremonial laying of foundation stones, but clear timelines and actionable directives that will translate promises into progress.
Whether work on the intra-urban road network will commence immediately after the foundation-laying ceremony is among the key questions on the minds of the population, as hopes rise that this visit will mark a turning point for this embattled city.
