By Zifac Fatima
Prime Minister Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, has acknowledged growing frustration, particularly circulating on social media among the populace, over the stalled Limbe Deep Seaport, the inactive Tiko Airport, the fate of major economic institutions like the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) and SONARA. He was addressing CPDM militants of the South West Region duting their meeting at NASLA campus in Buea on Saturday, June 12, 2025. The meeting was chaired by the Head of the South West Permanent Regional Delegation, H.E Peter Mafany Musonge, CPDM Polit-bureau member and Head the South West Permanent Delegation of the party in the South West.
“I have people who go through social media every day to tell me what the concerns of the region are, I am very concerned about the Limbe deep seaport, the Tiko Airport, our roads, CDC and SONARA” Dion Ngute stated. He elaborated on the progress made with the Limbe Port, he noted the creation of a high-level Steering Committee to However, admitting that recovering land and defining the Port’s physical boundaries was difficult due to encroachment. He added that a decree was signed in 2022 by the Head of state creating and reorganizing the Limbe Deep Seaport as an autonomous entity.
Concerning the Tiko Airport which has practically same situation with Limbe port, he highlighted ongoing land clarification with the same steering committee, pointing out that, “It is a slow process, but we are following due procedure.”
Speaking on the revival of the CDC, heavily impacted by the socio-political crisis, the PM expressed optimism, “Not a single kilogram of banana was produced at some point, but through a partnership with PHP of Njombe, production has rebounced to 42,000 tons”. He also said that salary arrears of CDC workers for the past five or six years was recently settled through a FCFA 20 billion grant from the president.
On politics, the PM reminded tge militants of the region’s pride in producing three Prime Ministers in the last 33 years of multiparty. “How many regions can boast of two Prime Ministers sitting side by side? I served under him and now he serves under me,” he said, referring to former Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge.
He welcomed attendees and underscored the significance of the meeting in laying the ground work for a successful CPDM campaign in the South West region. He described the meeting as a “special meeting” and praised the presence of the Prime Minister Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute who he said gave the meeting added importance.
Musonge expressed gratitude to the South West Chiefs’ conference for their open endorsement of president Biya’s candidacy and congratulated youths and other supporters for their loyalty and continued commitment to the CPDM’s ideals. While reminding the candidates that no election is won in advance Musonge emphasized the need for unity and strategic planning.
The meeting featured three key presentations that guided deliberations;
The stakes for the South West Region in the 2025 presidential elections- delivered by Ngolle Ngolle Elvis, this paper was structured around three guiding questions; what the 2025 presidential election signify for the South West Region; What are the stakes and how they are viewed locally; how can these stakes be secured before, during and after the elections?
Ngolle Ngolle highlighted the socio-political and economic priorities of the region and how the CPDM remains the only party capable of meeting those needs under president Biya’s continued leadership.
Ways and means of funding the CPDM Electoral Activities in the South West Region- presented by comrade Paul Tasong. He used 2018 as a baseline to compare with 2025. Drawing from the lesson of 2018, Minister Paul Tasong noted that while the previous elections faced serious security challenges, the current climate is more favorable, allowing for early mobilization and broader campaign visibility. He proposed the following strategies for fundraising mechanism: Maintain the 2018 model of individual-based contributions, cap contributions at regional level for senior ranks, let divisions expand contributions to local stakeholders and business people and assign lobbies or fundraising teams per divisions.
Paul Tasong concluded his presentation by recommending that the campaign resources be distributed following the 2018 model, with 10% allocated to the Permanent Regional Delegation for supervision, 50% to the permanent Divisional Delegations and 40% shared among the 31 CPDM sections in the South West Region.
The rallying call for a transparent and unambiguous landslide victory of the CPDM in the South West Region- Minister Mengot Victor presented an endorsement of the President Biya’s achievements, from national unity and peacekeeping to infrastructure development, healthcare, education and economic reforms. He reminded Millitants that Biya’s leadership remains the most reliable choice for Cameroon’s future.
Mengot emphasised the need for a transparent, united and energetic campaign. He called to action all CPDM Militants in the South West “Let us all rally around the banner of experience, stability and progress. Let ensure a landslide victory for President Paul Biya and the CPDM in October 2025.”
At the close of the meeting the CPDM Elites adopted a motion of support endorsing President Paul Biya as the CPDM’s candidate for the 2025 presidential elections while the Head of the CPDM Central delegation called for continued efforts in promoting peace, party discipline and voter mobilization. Emphasising transparency and accountability, he reminded party officials that funds raised for campaigns must be managed responsibly and reported to the party hierarchy.
