The Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the Fiftieth Anniversaries of Independence and Reunification (NOC), H.E. Mr. Martin BELINGA EBOUTOU, Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, chaired a meeting on Monday, 28 October 2013, at Unity Palace attended by some Chairpersons of Central Organizing Committees and Ministers in charge of basic infrastructure. The Governor of the South-West Region, Chairman of the Regional Committee, also attended the meeting.
In his opening remarks, the NOC Chairman recalled the statement made by the PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC on 3cJ September 2013 in which he reiterated that celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversaries of reunification will take place before the end of the year.
In the light of the HEAD OF STATE's permanent prescriptions for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of reunification in dignity and pomp, the NOC Chairman invited participants to take the floor in turns to present, each in his/her area of competence, the status of execution of projects since the holding of the last meeting on 6 September 2013.
It emerged from the various presentations that:
Overall, preparations have reached a satisfactory level, which can allow for a successful celebration;
The town of Buea has been renovated, to the great satisfaction of the population and visitors, whose living conditions and movement have improved considerably;
The construction of an open-air amphitheatre and the Fiftieth Anniversaries Monument, which was a cause for concern, has been intensified to meet the deadline for completion, that is 30 November 2013.
In this regard, the participants listened to a presentation of the model of the Fiftieth Anniversaries Monument under construction. It is a 10 metre-long circular reinforced concrete pillar, crowned by reflecting cylindrical columns of varying sizes, supporting the giant Fiftieth Anniversaries Logo (6 metres wide).
Regarding the content of the celebrations, participants listened to papers presented, particularly by the following Ministers:
•The Minister of Arts and Culture revealed the programme of ail cultural manifestations on the celebrations;
•The Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education presented a paper on the historic fresco titled "The March Forward", a sound and light show comprising three paintings retracing our country's history;
•The Minister of Higher Education presented a paper on the next colloquium that will take place in Buea on the theme "From Unification to Integration, Fifty Years of Nation Building". He also announced the publication, after the celebrations, of the proceedings of this colloquium and meetings that preceded it; the Africa 21 Conference; the Yaounde, Foulassi, Foumban and Ngaoundere Colloquiums. He also mentioned the on-going preparation of a book on the general history of our country by Cameroonians.
For his part, the Governor of the South-West Region said that the population of Buea was satisfied with the positive transformation of the town, in particular transport facilities, additional energy, public lighting and water supply. He concluded by saying that he was pleased to indicate the enthusiasm of the population of the South-West Region which is preparing actively to welcome the Presidential Couple and the distinguished guests of the Head of State.
Before adjourning the meeting, the CNO Chairman urged participants to accelerate the acceptance of projects and to finalize the content of manifestations.
