The All Ndian Peace and Development Conference has prompted many who heaved a sigh of relief that at last, the time has come for peace to return to the oil-rich Division. The hope is even the more for Ndian to set the pace for a new peace and development agenda which impact would be felt nationwide.
Since 2016 the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have been dwindling in fortunes due to the Anglophone Crisis. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, ACLED the Anglophone Crisis has left 3,910 fatalities while there are over 573 900 internally displaced persons in the two regions. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, there are over 700,000 children and adolescents out of school, and homes. Many OCHA says, are at risk of association with armed groups, sexual exploitation and early pregnancies presenting high susceptibility to radicalisation and other social vices.
Amongst the Divisions in the Southwest region that have suffered some of the most damaging impact of the crisis is the Ndian Division. The high internal displacement, kidnapping and stress on already limited resources is causing social tension and conflict amongst the sons and daughters of the Division. High rural exodus of hardworking youths has left the Division void of its most promising youths while crippling its powerful agricultural sector in the process. Persistent acts of torture, rape, child abuse, killing, and abduction are causing severe physical, psychological and socio-economic damage to the population. The Ndian Peace and Development Conference has set the course for a return to peace and development to the Division.
There is a spike in the rate of unwanted teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence. Disheartening events such as the recent killing of three students and a teacher in Government Bilingual High School, GBHS, Ekondo-Titi has only left an indelible mark of trauma on the people of Ndian as a whole and children in particular. Development experts say, the All Ndian Conference is a veritable gathering that will change the tides and shape the future of a Division that has potentials that can benefit the entire nation.
Aware of these and while decrying the actions of some misguided sons and daughters under the influence of external entities, Ndian sons and daughters have decided to take their destiny into their hands. It is time for action and not talk, the Delegates said. It was against this backdrop that Ndian stakeholders decided to galvanise efforts and work together for peace and development. This way to engage the sons and daughters of the Ndian Division to undertake a diagnosis of the problems and challenges facing the Division and propose sustainable solutions. It is engaged sons and daughters of the Ndian Division especially those in the Diaspora who are sympathetic of the separatist agenda were beseeched to cease funding and support for the movement and divert their energy for to a return to peace in the division.
The conference also served as an avenue for the Ndian natives to chart ways for community development and restoration of the economic growth of the Division through increased employment of youths.
Why Is Ndian Strategic and Important?
It is without controversy that the Ndian Division in Cameroon is rich in all its ramifications and this must not be ignored. Top of these areas is the Bakassi Peninsula which is the petrol well of the nation. There is also its link with the National Oil Refining Corporation, SONARA. We cannot forget about PAMOL in Ekondo Titi. It is also blessed with resources like Cocoa and coffee. In the world market there was a high demand for oil and petrol from Ndian through the Bakassi Peninsula.
Peace In Ndian, Salient Vector To Development
The utmost prayer of every Cameroonian citizen is that the peace and decorum that existed in Cameroon should return so as to revive the economic life of the country. If this is done, Cameroon will benefit a lot in terms of palm oil supply, crude oil drilling, increase in smallholder farming alongside other community activities that contribute to national growth. In the end, Ndian with its potential has the capacity to improve Cameroon’s Gross Domestic Product and balance trade deficit.
