At Memve’ele Project Inaugural: Biya Ignores Marafa

- Goes by Air As Ministers Stuck in Mud by Land

- Yang, Chantal’s Absence Questioned

By Yussuf Sariki

All what Marafa Hamidou Yaya, the former Minister of State in charge of Territorial Administration and Decentralization has been vociferating was brought to naught last week. Expectations that President Paul Biya would address the Marafa letters, while inaugurating the kick-off of the Memve’ele hydro electricity dam project were gnawed. Paul Biya rather targeted the reiterations of his grand realization projects. He was cheered by over 3000 people, yet, most of them (his ministers) found difficult access to the Nyanikan site. Even amongst the huge crowds, expectations that Chantal, wife of President Biya would be present were waylaid by her conspicuous absence. Even the whereabouts of Philemon Yang, the Prime Minister and Head of Government became a major concern.

The Memve’ele inaugural was the first official public outing of President Biya, ever since Marafa and Chief Ephraim Inoni, were arrested under the sparrow hawk operation. But while Inoni has been mute, Marafa has unleashed four (4) dreaded letters. In the last Chronicle gathered that even Biya was embarrassed by its content. The opposition SDF took pretext and vouched for the creation of a commission of enquiry, which was rejected by parliament last week.

Contrary to expectations that Biya would address the Marafa letters, it was less so. Instead, the head of state pinpointed the kick-off of the Memve’ele project as the realization of his grand realization project. He went further to unveil that the Lom Pangar, Mekim and even Menchum electricity projects, would be executed in same light.

If Biya ignored mentioning/addressing/replying Marafa, Chronicle gathered that it was understandable. A presidential insider hinted Chronicle that as a constitutionalist/legalist, Biya could not have touched on a situation presently entertained by the legal department. This accounts why, Chronicle was told, it was instead Emmanuel Mve, an elite from the South, who expressed support of the centre south regions to the head of state’s fight against corruption.

Though the Memve’ele inaugural was a landmark, access to the area was a nightmare. President Biya took a helicopter to the area and left back with it. Yet, top ranking officials including diplomats, members of government, director, general managers and even journalists had no headway. It was a tedious journey to have arrived the site.

Chronicle watched PRADOs of ministers stuck in mud while en route. Even upon return there was no headway, given the poor state of the road. Caterpillars that were placed to rescue the vehicles stuck, could not do anything better. While the cream of dignitaries was stuck, President Biya used the air. He arrived at the Memve’ele site in an helicopter and took off in same manner.

The atmosphere at Memve’ele though lively, was void of one key face: Chantal Biya. She was not at the May 20^th avenue last May 20 and the reception that ensued at the Unity Palace on same day. Many had since questioned her whereabouts. Her absence continued at Memve’ele.

If Chantal was absent and raised brows, then Philemon Yang’s inabilities to be there became also an issue. Though the official suit instead preferred but Amadou Ali, vice prime minister in charge with relations at the Assembly, no one was convinced about Yang’s absence. Worse still, House Speaker Cavaye Djibril who was not part of the official delegation, was conspicuously present.