Minister Felix Mbayu Leads Another Initiative By Yaounde Based Northwest Elites To Assist IDPs

The latest initiative is a project to provide many IDPs, with stalls that have been obtained and rents paid for a year, at the Mokolo Market in Yaounde.

A committee comprised of Annie MUNDI, AZAH Nelson, VIBAN Jude and BERKA, has been charged to carryout survey, compile a list of possible beneficiaries, and propose criteria for allocation of the stalls

A prominent Yaounde based Northwest elite, Felix MBAYU, who is Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations, in charge of the Commonwealth, is leading another laudable initiative by Northwest elites in the nation’s capital, aimed at supporting their brothers and sisters from their region, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Yaounde. That is, persons displaced from the Northwest Region by what is commonly known as the Anglophone Crisis. The latest initiative is a project to provide many IDPs with stalls at the Mokolo Market in Yaounde. The stalls will be acquired, and rents paid for a year, by the elite.

In a recent statement on the latest initiative, Minister Mbayu gave the background to the market stall project, the source of the funds, and advanced four reasons why the Northwest elites have agreed to assist the IDPs. He also talked on the implementation of the first phase of the project, disclosing among other things that a committee has been set up to survey and compile a list of the possible beneficiaries, and as well proposes the criteria for the allocation of the available market spaces. According to Minister Mbayu, the project to assist IDPs in Yaounde with market stalls, is taking place “under the guidance of Ma Senator Regina MUNDI, and others”.

BELOW IS THE ENTIRE STATEMENT OR EXPLANATORY NOTE MADE BY MINISTER MBAYU:

 “Assistance To IDPs In Yaounde: One More Goodwill Initiative

Dear Comrades, Sisters and Brothers,

After consulting our Interim Regional Leader, Ma Senator Regina MUNDI, and other stakeholders, I am pleased to share with you a new initiative aimed at supporting our brothers and sisters from the Northwest Region, particularly those who are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yaounde.

BACKGROUND

As you know, the City Mayor of Yaounde recently announced a ban on the sale of goods using wheelbarrows, pushcarts, and portable stalls in designated zones across the city, effective January 20, 2025. The decision will undoubtedly impact some IDPs from our region.

Our Response

In light of this development, we have agreed to assist our IDPs for the following four key reasons:

• Promoting a positive image of our people: We want to showcase our IDPs as law – abiding and loyal citizens who respect the precepts of their host communities.
• Rebuilding Lives: We are committed to helping our IDPs rebuild their lives and overcome the challenges they face.
• Demonstrating Elite Support: We want our people to know that they can count on us, the elite, to support their well – being.
• Contributing to Peace, Order and Cleanliness: By providing alternative selling spaces, we are contributing to the maintenance of peace, order and cleanliness in Yaounde.

IMPLEMENTATION

To achieve these goals, under the guidance of Ma Senator Mundi and others, I have reached out to the City Mayor of Yaounde and the Public / Private Partnership Entrepreneurs of the Mokolo Market. They have agreed to exceptionally offer a first batch of 50 stalls to the IDPs from the Northwest Region. We are covering the costs of those stalls, which amount to XAF 5,000 per month, for a year totaling XAF 3,000,000. The funds will be drawn from part of a balance of our successful IDP Effort to Foumban.

NEXT STEPS

There is also a possibility of extending this initiative to 100 stalls in Mokolo Market and going beyond this zone.

For the first phase, we have established a committee comprising of Miss Anne MUNDI, Mr AZAH Nelson, Mr VIBAN Jude, and Mr BERKA.

They will survey and compile a list of beneficiaries and propose the criteria for the allocation of available market spaces.

This initiative is our way of giving back to our community and supporting those in need. We once again thank the Brothers and Sisters who voluntarily contributed to the Foumban IDP Goodwill Mission,, and who have kindly accepted that part of the balance thereof be used for this other IDP initiative. Others who wish to contribute to this new IDP initiative are welcome to do so.

Kindly accept our Warm and Fraternal New Year Wishes to You All.

                            Humbly Yours,

                             Felix MBAYU”