Paul Biya’s Selective Industrialization: The Marginalization of Anglophone Regions

In his end-of-year speech, President Paul Biya emphasised the industrialisation strides made in the last year. He mentioned the activities taking place in Kribi, Douala, and other areas.

These zones are becoming the industrial hubs of Cameroon.

That owes to their geographical location, which is on the coastline.

The presence of the Atlantic Ocean in these regions plays a vital role in the development of seaports.

So, as a result of that, so many industries, because of proximity, turn to concentrate in these areas.

Projects mentioned by Biya

While trying to say what his government is doing to better lives, he said, “The industrialisation of our country is taking shape by the day.”

He states that two economic zones specialising in wood processing are being established in Edea and Bertoua. The agro-industrial technology hub at Ouassa-Babouté via Nkoteng focusses on producing and processing cereals, tubers, milk, and its byproducts.

“The opening of the largest tile production plant in Central Africa in the locality of Bipaga, in Kribi, with the creation of over 2,500 direct jobs, is further proof of such industrialization.” Biya stated, adding that “The dynamism of the industrial sector is also evidenced by the commissioning of a sixth cement plant in Cameroon, resulting in lower cement prices.”

With that, he said there is no doubt that this booming sector forms the cornerstone of our country’s legitimate aspiration to economic emergence.

Development of Anglophone Regions Ignored

Just like Kribi and Douala, the places in Tiko, Limbe, and Idinao have those potentials as well.

They are located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s been decades since a seaport was promised to Limbe and Tiko. The seaport alone can play a vital role in the development of these towns. 

However, the government careless about the projects and prefers Kribi and Douala, which studies have shown are not natural like Kribi.

Talking about development in the two Anglophone regions, Biya was very passive.

“I have also noted that the reconstruction of the North-West and South-West Regions is progressing,” he said.

He failed to mention concretely what exactly those reconstruction projects are.

Paul Biya could have stated that this village or town, which was destroyed, has been constructed.

This road or that has undergone rebuilding.

Despite mentioning giant projects in other regions, none outlined for Northwest and Southwest exist apart from the rehabilitation of the road from Bikoko to Idinau and from Mutengene to Buea.

Meanwhile, workers rehabilitated these roads less than 4 years ago.

Mimi Mefo Info