The recently appointed Public Independent Conciliator for the Northwest region has called on the people of the region and residents of Bamenda to take advantage of the structure and settle their disputes amicable.
According to Simon Tamfu Fai, courts are very expensive, time consuming and can’t resolve all of the common man’s problems.
To him, the office of the Public Independent Conciliator seeks to protect the rights and privileges of the population: “The way of the court is expensive. You have to hire a lawyer and appear before a magistrate and this is a long process which costs a lot of money and time” he stated.
His Office, he said, “… resolves disputes without any cost to anybody who brings a complaint. This office can initiate legislation or amend legislation”.
The call on the population to leave the courts and seek solutions to their disputes with the conciliator has sparked public debate in Bamenda. Many say they do not even know what the office represents or what it means as well as its location. According to Mary Ann, a business woman in Bamenda, the call by the public independent conciliator is like a murmur at night.
“Since they told us that they have given the North West and the South West special status, I keep hearing this and that. It’s funny that you want somebody to come to your house who does not even know the way or if your house exist at all” she said.
Since the conferment of special status on the Northwest region as part of government’s measure to solve the ongoing conflict, majority of the people are still to have a feel of the change and the institutions that it incarnates.
Simon Tamfu Fai has however said he shall n the days ahead, launch a campaign that will educate the public on what his office represents.
By Timfuchi Aaron
North West Public Independent Conciliator Woos Population To Exploit His Office
