Mbonge Mayor Drops Dead!

Ekong William Sakwe, deceased Mayor of Mbonge

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Ekong William Sakwe, Mayor of Mbonge and CPDM Meme III Section President has died.

The mayor cum traditional ruler of Big Nganjo and Vice President of the South West Chiefs’ Conference died at the Buea Regional Hospital on Friday January 15. Family members said the deceased was suffering from nerves problems and headache.

Following the mayor’s demise, the population of Meme division, especially that of Mbonge, was thrown into a state of mourning as many regretted the loss of an award-winning development agent who had risen to the helm of one of Cameroon’s largest councils.

The mortal remains of the municipal authority have been conveyed to Kumba District Hospital Mortuary.

Ekong was last seen in public during a council session in December 2015. During that meeting, he had admitted feeling better than when he was at home.

Ekong has been the chief of Big Nganjo since 1998. Being a Grade I teacher, he served the nation in different capacities throughout his career and later enrolled into the University of Buea where he obtained a degree in education.

In the later part of 2015, the traditional ruler is reported to have had hard times managing his chiefdom. His detractors are reported to have gone to work to make the village ungovernable for the mayor. He once served as president of the Meme Chiefs’ Conference.

The burial programme of the deceased mayor is still being awaited.

AFCON Competitions: Feet-Dragging Contractors Given Ultimatum

An inter-ministerial delegation observed over the weekend that supervisory engineers were hardly present while ongoing works remain virtually stagnant.

It was a stern moment of evaluation when an inter-ministerial delegation from Yaounde descended on Buea and Limbe on January 14, 2016, inspecting sites of ongoingsupplementary works for the November, 2016 Female Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

While in Buea, the South West Regional capital, the cabinet Ministers visited the Molyko Stadium and the Buea Municipal Stadium. In Limbe, headquarters of Fako Division, the inter-ministerial delegation explored the CDC Middle Farms Stadium and the Centenary Stadium. All four stadia are training grounds for the Female AFCON event. Equally under thesearch light of the Ministers were other major accompanying works (notably access roads and parking lots) around the ultra-modern Limbe Omnisports Stadium.

The three Ministers, Bidoung Mkpatt Pierre Ismael (Sports and Physical Education), Mbwentchou Jean Claude (Housing and Urban Development), Abba Sadou (Public Contracts Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic), representatives of the Presidency of the Republic and the Prime Minister's Office, and South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, were visibly disappointed after visiting the various sites. They observed with indignation that less than 30 per cent of works have been done after consuming over 40 per cent of time as stipulated.

During an evaluation meeting at the Limbe City Council Hall, Minister Bidoung Mkpatt Pierre Ismael gave the executing firms one week to produce emergency plans on how to regain lost time, and for works to be accelerated day and night. He warned contractors of the risk of having their contracts cancelled if the delays persisted. The Minister reiterated that the credibility of the State was at stake as on 22 January, 2016, a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will visit Cameroon to evaluate the country's readiness to host the football event of this year. Meanwhile, a friendly football encounter between Cameroon and South Africa has been scheduled for March 26, 2016 at the Limbe Omnisports Stadium. Apart from the lagging nature of works, another major worry is the impending rains in March, which will, inevitably, perturb the pace of projects.

Minister Abba Sadou worried aloud that on paper, the contracting firms produced enticing guarantees for great realizations, but output remained replete with complacency and inadequate mobilization. Worst still, supervising engineers were reported to be hardly present at work sites. "Workers are not adequately mobilized and even supervisory engineers are showing signs of complacency. Some came here only when they were informed that the inter-ministerial delegation was arriving," Abba Sadou said.

Governor Okalia Bilai took the rostrum and voiced emphatically: "Since this inter-ministerial delegation came here on December 8, 2015, gave recommendations and left, nothing has changed. The executing firms are not serious. Is it when rains will start in March that they will accelerate work? Some contracts are hidden from the Governor because some of the companies that were unable to realize first jobs, are now involved in second contracts!"

FCFA 52 Billion For 24 Projects

When the engineers of the contracting firms took the floor to explain reasons for the tardiness, none complained of insufficient money. Their explanations were mainly rhetorical as they apportioned blame to others. This infuriated Minister Bidoung Mkpatt who called for patriotism and responsibility. While urging the stakeholders to put all hands on deck for the respect of deadlines, he warned that the nation must not be humiliated.

An expert presentation revealed that there were 24 AFCON 2016 projects in the South West worth FCFA 52 billion. Projects in Buea are worth FCFA 15 billion, while those in Limbe amount to FCFA 37 billion. Before the delegation left for Yaounde, stern instructions were given for standard project site logbooks to be kept to monitor the progress of work.

Cameroon Tribune

Interview: “Road Fund Will Gain Financial Autonomy”

Elung Paul Che, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance explains recommendations made during the 19th session of the National Road Board on January 12, 2016.

What were some of issues discussed during the 19th session of National Road Board?

Elung Paul CheThe Prime Minister asked the participants to present their diagnoses on why road maintenance and construction of new roads are not really meeting up with the plan of government. So, we had presentations from the Minister of Public Works who explained the difficulties faced in the sector in terms of studies which most of the time are not very adequate.

Secondly, road construction companies lack expertise in road construction and road maintenance. They also lack a solid financial surface which poses a problem. The Minister of Urban Development also said the same thing in his presentation.

As to what concerns the Ministry of Finance, we presented the difficulties faced in the funding of road maintenance and road construction companies. These difficulties are not only at the level of treasury management but also upstream at the level of technical services. So, if the studies are well done, projects are well followed-up and the jobbing orders prepared and presented to the Minister of Finance on time, they are programmed and paid subsequently.

As of now, we do not have outstanding payments for road maintenance and road construction jobs. The problem could be found not only at the level of the treasury but elsewhere. I made it clear that it is not a matter of getting funds to idle in accounts for road maintenance but getting the jobs effectively done on the field.

So what were the Prime Minister's recommendations?

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister made concrete recommendations to all the parties notably the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Urban Development, the Ministry of Public Contracts and the Ministry of Finance. We will be looking at reforming the Road Fund to make it more autonomous, more performant and more assuring to road construction companies.

Cameroon Tribune

National Identity: New Identification System Still To Begin

         

The old National Identity Card is still much solicited while the operationalization of the new system is still pending.

Over five months after the signing of a new contract with a French firm, GEMALTO for the production of new identity cards in Cameroon and the subsequent commissioning of the technical supervisory committee for the operations weeks later (on August 12, 2015) by the Delegate General for National Security, the new identification process is yet to see the light of the day.

When Cameroon Tribune visited a few identification units in the nation's capital yesterday January 13, 2016, scores of Cameroonians were seen in queues applying to get the vital identification document. At the Central Police Station No. 1 downtown Yaounde for instance, the same old application forms were being filled for applicants in need of the National Identity Card.

The Chief of the Identification Post at the Central Police Station No. 1 maintained sealed lips and referred CT to the Police hierarchy. At the General Delegation for National Security, the Head of Communication and Public Relations, Senior Superintendent Cécile Mandeng said the contracted firm is yet to begin the operation without giving further details.

It should be recalled that the reform in the identification system as was revealed by the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguélé while commissioning the committee in charge of overseeing the operation, is intended to secure Cameroon's identification system. With the new system, national identity cards holders will be attributed a unique and infinite registration number.

In an interview on Cameroon Tribune of August 13, 2015, Mbarga Nguélé stated that the old ID cards will remain valid until the production of the new cards begins. The process to deliver the new cards which he said will be difficult to falsify, he added, was going to be gradual with the committee to prepare the necessary ground work for effective take off of the operation.

Cameroon Tribune

Need an English proficiency test to study abroad? Then waste no time

At this time, we understand that many of you are excited at the prospect of studying overseas and are anxiously looking to book an English language test so that you can secure your visa to study abroad.  We want to help you achieve this dream!


Of special interest, UK Visas and Immigration has stated that if you are entering directly at degree level or higher at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the UK, you can write the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-Academic) as Higher Education Institutions currently choose their own method of testing students’ English language ability for entry onto their courses and this will not change.

Pearson Test of English is accepted in the core five English-speaking countries as follows:
 100% of all universities in Australia accept PTE Academic for all courses   100% of all universities in New Zealand accept PTE Academic for all courses  92% of all universities in the UK accept PTE Academic for undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes (i.e. excludes Foundation programmes and short courses)  Approximately 70% of all universities in Canada accept PTE Academic  Approximately 50% of all universities in the USA accept PTE Academic. However, the USA has almost 5000 colleges and universities so it is worth noting that PTE Academic is accepted by the biggest recruiters of international students, many institutions in the core states on the east coast, west coast and in Michigan and Chicago, by Ivy League and top tier universities etc. 
PTE Academic can be booked up to 24 hours in advance and we have test centers across Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Kaduna and Ibadan)

Moreover, there are a number of elements to our test which gives it an edge over the others e.g.:
 Speed of results (2-5 days for PTE Academic)  Ease and speed of booking, up to 24 hours in advance, with booking made online  Unlimited score assignments – the results are sent electronically so no need to print and send certificates  One test lasting 3 hours, no requirement to book a separate speaking test as with others (this is especially beneficial for skilled migrants who are likely to have job and family commitment) 
We look forward to working with you to achieve your educational goals this year and beyond. For further enquiries please contact your Pearson Nigeria Country representatives on the addresses below: 
Contact our PTE-A Representatives in Nigeria for Test booking and study manual: 
David Fapohunda Tel- +2348174672213 Email- david.fapohunda@pearson.com  
Vitalis Nwaogu Tel- +2348174675012 Email- vitalis.nwaogu@pearson.com  
Office Address 8, Secretariat Road, Obafemi Awolowo way, Opposite State Secretariat, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos Pearson  AlwaysLearning Learn more at:  http://pearsonpte.com/uk-visa-application-changes-faq/

$188m Powerball winner Marie Holmes issued criminal summons for harassing bf's side chick

Marie Holmes, the North Carolina mom who won a $188 million Powerball lottery jackpot last year and has spent millions bailing her boyfriend out of jail, now has legal challenges of her own.
Holmes, 26, was served a criminal summons last week on charges of making threatening and harassing phone calls to a woman named Lorna Marlowe.

The phone calls allegedly occurred on Jan. 10, and Marlowe filed a complaint the same day.

Holmes, a former McDonald’s and big box employee, is set to appear in court in North Carolina’s Brunswick County on Feb. 12. A warrant could be issued for her arrest if she fails to appear at the hearing.

MyFox8 reports that the summons alleges “Holmes threatened to inflict bodily harm on Marlowe and repeatedly called her for the purpose of harassing her.”

After winning the lottery last year, Holmes has become almost a mainstay in the headlines thanks to her efforts to support her boyfriend, Lamarr McDow, the father of her youngest child. He recently spoke to The Daily Mail about Holmes and why she has no qualms with spending millions to bail him out of jail. McDow is an alleged heroin dealer who has been arrested on charges of illegal drug possession and illegal street racing.

Student suspended for sharing inhaler with classmate gasping for air

A Texas middle school student was suspended after sharing her inhaler with an asthmatic student who was gasping for breath on Tuesday. She now faces up to 30 days at alternative school, following a hearing on Friday.
Indiyah Rush, 12, may also face a month in an alternative school as part of her punishment, Fox4 reported.
Rush, a A/B honor roll student, was in gym class at Schrade Middle School in Garland, Texas when her classmate began wheezing and gasping for breath.
“Asthma gets worse by every second,” Rush, who has had the disease since she was 5,  told Fox4.com.

Rush offered the girl her inhaler and the two were sent to the principal’s office, where Rush was punished with several days of at-home suspension and 30 days of alternative school.

According to the school district, sending a student to a month of alternative school  is an automatic punishment for sharing a controlled substance, which includes prescription drugs like inhalers. The final punishment may change after a hearing scheduled for Friday.

“It's a prescription and one student’s severity with asthma may not mirror that of the girl who let the other borrow hers and that could have resulted in some pretty significant issues,” Chris Moore, Garland Independent School District spokesman, told Fox4.

Rush’s mother is concerned that time at an alternative school is an excessive punishment.

“My kid would be mixed with kids that are using drugs at school or being caught with drugs, acting out in class,” Monique Rush told Fox4. “I don’t want any of that to rub off on her.”

“I was just trying to save her life,” Indiyah said. “I didn’t know I was doing anything bad.”

Source: FNC

Tiwa Savage shares more photos of her son

Singer Tiwa Savage shared more photos of her adorable son Jamil and wrote:

Three Americans kidnapped in Baghdad

Three American soldiers and a translator have reportedly been kidnapped by militia in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. While their identities have not yet been confirmed, Iraqi independent news agency Akad News said a US serviceman and a translator are among those who were captured in the south of Baghdad.

The American Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that “several” US-citizens are missing. “We are working in full cooperation with Iraqi authorities to locate the missing Americans,” US Embassy spokesman Scott Bolz said.
The media reports are yet to be verified, but Arab news channel Al-Arabiya said the kidnapping has been confirmed by “well-informed sources.”

The US embassy in the Iraqi capital said it is aware of the reports but cannot comment as of yet.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said that the US government has been informed of the reports of missing American citizens in Iraq and is “working with the full cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals.”
“The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority,” Kirby added in his statement.
According to CNN correspondent Michael Holmes, citing a senior security official, three American contractors went missing in the Iraqi capital two days ago.

Ne-Yo and fiancée Crystal Renay's step out on the red carpet at the Critics' Choice Awards

Ne-Yo was nominated for Best Supporting Actor In A Movie Or Limited Series for his performance as the Tin-Man in NBC's The Wiz Live!, a live production of the 1975 Broadway musical, The Wiz, which put a modern spin on the classic Wizard Of Oz tale. And he suited up for the star-studded event with his heavily pregnant fiancée- Crystal Renay. Another photo after the cut..