Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tata Mbunwe
Published on 2024-02-29 07:43:16
Good-hearted individuals have donated over 43 million FCFA to assist the victims of a devastating fire that destroyed hundreds of shops at the Bamenda Main Market last week.
The donations from the public are being directed to a mobile money account owned by Mr. Azaah Njie Nelson, an official from the Ministry of External Relations who hails from the North West Region.
A recent update on the contributions shared on social media platforms reveals that the majority of donors are government officials from the North West Region.
Notable donors include the Mayor of Bamenda III, Chenwi Peter; the Director of Customs, Edwin Fongod; the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji; and the Minister in Charge of the Supreme State Audit, Mbah Acha Rose.
The fundraising efforts are being coordinated by Senator Regina Mundi, Minister Mbah Acha Rose, HE Felix Mbayu, DDR Coordinator Fai Yengo, and the Director of Customs Edwin Fongod.
These officials initiated the fundraising campaign to assist the victims of the fire that destroyed over 300 shops on February 22.
The fire caused extensive damages amounting to billions of CFA and resulted in a few injuries as people rushed to save their belongings.
The government, led by the Governor of the North West, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, has pledged support to the victims.
The governor stated, “Half of the market was saved. Unfortunately, nearly 300 shops were consumed by the fire. This is still an approximate number. We are waiting for the commission to confirm the exact figures. The victims will receive assistance; they should prepare to declare the contents of their shops to the commission for government aid.”
The Chairman of the Social Democratic Front party, Hon. Joshua Osih, has also committed to supporting the victims in their recovery from the tragic incident.
However, the North West elite believe that the urgent needs of the victims cannot wait for the standard government procedures to take effect.
The Bamenda Main Market is the largest market in the North West Region of Cameroon, an area already heavily affected by seven years of armed conflict.
Most of the affected traders are small business owners and retailers who lack insurance to assist them during this critical time.
Their livelihoods depend on public and government assistance to help them recover, as without it, poverty could set in.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
