By Gilla Everdine
The North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) commenced its 14th Ordinary Session today, Monday September 16, 2024, in Bamenda, with discussions set to run till Wednesday, September 18.
The session aims to review the Assembly’s work from 2021 to 2024, assess achievements, and chart a course for future growth. With the region still grappling with the ongoing sociopolitical crisis, the Assembly’s primary focus is ensuring that development projects are implemented equitably across the region, particularly addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
Prof. Fru Angwafo III, President of the NWRA, in a press briefing ahead of the session, emphasized the critical role of this review. The Assembly he said will evaluate the effectiveness of social amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. This assessment is crucial for understanding the current state of these facilities and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of communities hardest hit by the crisis.
A key item on the agenda is the presentation of a balance sheet that details the projects carried out over the past three years. These projects span infrastructure development, environmental efforts such as tree planting, and social support initiatives.
The review will allow the Assembly to highlight successes while identifying areas where further action is needed. It will also lay the groundwork for upcoming projects as the Assembly sets its priorities for 2025. Looking toward the future, the Assembly will engage in discussions around new projects for 2025. These initiatives, developed in consultation with local communities, civil society, and peace and development committees, will be crucial in determining budgetary allocations during the December 2024 session.
By aligning these projects with local needs, the Assembly aims to create a solid framework for sustainable regional development. Another major feature of this session is a series of capacity-building workshops. These sessions, led by five invited facilitators, will focus on key areas such as the reopening of schools for the 2024–2025 academic year, youth engagement in economic development, healthcare access through health voucher schemes, climate finance initiatives, and peacebuilding efforts under the Peace and Development Initiative (PDI).
In a continued show of support for education, the NWRA will donate 32 computers to top-performing secondary schools in the region. The Assembly will also recognize 103 outstanding students from last year’s end-of-course exams, with special honors given to 45 students from technical schools.
Additionally, educational materials will be provided to students in need, and birth certificates will be issued to children across the region’s 34 municipalities.This session holds particular significance as the Assembly prepares to collaborate with key ministries, including the Ministry of Secondary Education and the Ministry of Public Health, to contribute to the 2025 national budget.
These collaborations will ensure that regional projects are in line with the National Strategic Development Plan (2020–2030) while addressing the specific needs of the North West region.
The Assembly’s deliberations will focus on priority projects that have been voted on and adopted, ensuring they align with both local and national development goals.
With 80 deliberations on the agenda, the 14th Ordinary Session promises to be one of the most impactful to date. As the Assembly reflects on its progress over the past three years, it is also taking decisive steps to set the region on a path to future growth and development.
