By Noela Ebob Bisong
Most City Councils across Cameroon will henceforth be powered by civil administrators, following separate presidential decrees signed Friday, May 24, 2019, appointing new Secretaries Generals (SGs) to all 14 City Councils in Cameroon.
Following the decisions, those formally of Limbe, Nkongsamba and Kribi have been transferred to new councils, while the others are new council scribes, mostly civil administrators, brought in to efficiently drive the decentralization train.
The move by the head of state no doubt is in line with government’s desire to enforce and make real and effective the decentralization process, which has been outlined as one of the main causes of the current socio-political tensions in the North West and South West regions of the country.
However, the appointments have been received with mixed feelings, considering that majority of the new secretaries general are civil administrators like in the case of Limbe, Bamenda, Maroua, Nkongsamba, Ngaoundere and Yaounde. While some in the country see it as a move to foster decentralization, others hold that it is rather a matter of more centralization of the already sick system. Their reason, they maintain, is that council SGs are trained in institutions like CEFAM in Buea, and not ENAM.
According to the recent appointments, Charles Arrey Nkongho, hitherto SG of Limbe’s City Council, has left in same capacity to the Kumba City Council, replacing Shey Henry Nganji who goes on retirement.
Charles Arrey Nkongho has been replaced by Nokuri Samuel Nokpa, former Divisional Officer of Ngambe subdivision in the Sanaga Maritime Division of the Littoral region.
Many in Limbe, especially close collaborators of the erstwhile SG of the Limbe City Council, Charles Arrey Nkongho regret his departure, as, though not a civil administrator, he is being described as ‘a very good council manager’ and one who for close to 10 years have contributed enormously to Limbe’s development and stability, especially in the midst of the current tensions of the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Many in Limbe hope he will transfer this same much needed spirit to the city of Kumba, as they await his replacement, Nokuri Samuel Nokpa to fit into his shoes.
Another decision reads that Anuafor Cletus Asongwe, former Divisional Officer of Tiko Subdivision (Fako division South West region), is now SG of the Bamenda City Council, replacing Waindim Jude Nsom.
Assiga Ebana Herman Bertrand, former SG of Far North Governor’s office, has been appointed SG of Yaounde City Council, replacing Gabriel Essoa Eloi who goes on retirement.
For the Douala City Council, Georges Wangue Liberte has been appointed in replacement of Moudoumbou Souga Thomas who retires. Georges Wangue Liberte, former SG of Nkongsamba City Council has been replaced by Ibrahim Mamouda.
Also, Goumpo Wuego Christelle Gaelle is now SG of Bafoussam City Council, replacing Souob Victor.
Ndoumi Oscar-Theophile is SG of Edea City Council, replacing Ngobe Samuel who retires.
Edie Diengou Carine Roche epouse Mebouogue is SG of Kribi City Council, in replacement of Medjo Assako Jacob, who moves to the Ebolowa City Council, replacing Mvelle Francoise who goes on retirement.
Again, Sabolo Meyama Dominique on his part is new SG of Bertoua City Council, while Norode Emmanuel is new SG of Garoua City Council, in replacement of Adamou Babagaroua who retires.
Abdel Aziz Ahmadou is now SG of Maroua City Council, replacing Boubakary Abdoulaye.