“The problems in Cameroon are as a result of an over centralized system”

-Ajong Dobgima Sylvanus

Ajong Dobgima Sylvanus

Ajong Dobgima Sylvanus is presently the Lord Mayor of the Bali Nyonga Municipality. Before becoming Mayor, he was the CPDM Section President for Bali. He is a product of the prestigious Higher Institute of Administration and Magistracy known in its French acronym as ENAM where he studied Administration and Finance. From this institution Ajong Dobgima Sylvanus served in different capacities in the Civil Service. His last appointment was at the Regional Delegation of Agriculture for the North West Region from where he retired in 2005. Amongst other things, Ajong Dobgima Sylvanus declared that the problems of Cameroon lie in an over centralized system. He was interviewed by Francis Ekongang Nzante. He begins by touching on what inspired him to get into politics.

“Throughout my career I have been managing finances and taking care of people. When I retired I became a full politician and this gave me an opportunity to better take care of people.”

During this period Bali has been transformed into one of the biggest towns in the North West Region. What is this force that has been pushing the town forward?

Our trick is just hard work with all of us putting hands together. The elites have been lobbying and putting all their forces together to bring development to Bali. This gave us the possibility to transform Bali into the town that you have here today.

If you were to suggest that something still had to be done in Bali specifically and Cameroon at large, what would that thing be?

Bali is one of the oldest Sub Divisions in the North West Region and if there is anything that I want to ask, it will be that Bali should be raised to the status of a full Division. Bali was among the earliest places to become an academic hob and to have some of the most educated elite. One of the oldest secondary schools in these parts of the country was created in Bali; Cameroon Protestant College and Bali has now become a University town with the creation of the Cameroon Christian University.

What specific problems can you identify in Bali and what solutions do you propose?

The powers that be should let decentralization become a reality in Cameroon. The problems in Cameroon are as a result of an over centralized system. For anything to be done here, one has to constantly go to Yaounde. We have water crises in Bali and there is also the problem of shortage of electricity supply. These are the major problems. When there is water and electricity, other development projects will follow. If this is done in Bali and in the other villages within the Municipality then the place will be completely transformed. 

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