SNAPSHOT OF BUEA AS IT AWAITS PAUL BIYA (Part 1 of 2)

The capital city of Buea in particular and the South West Region as a whole are in a mood of heightened expectancy as they prepare to receive President Paul Biya for celebrations marking fifty years of reunification. STAY AWAKE AND KEEP WATCH As things stand, though, the precise date is really still a matter of speculation as the authorities are tight-lipped about it. It is not unusual though, considering that usually when the president has to make a one-off public appearance at a national event, the exact date is kept close the to the heart like a trump card during a match of cards, until at the last moment, literally. This is the type of scenario that characterizes the annual football championship finals usually presided over by the Head of State. SHOOTS OF SOMETHING NEW As Buea holds its breath for the impending arrival of the august guest, residents of the locality are also heaving sighs of relief because their city has been so transformed that some of them can hardly believe some of the tell-tale signs. Street lighting has been provided for the main road arteries. This is the aspect that grips any night time traveler to Buea. There are beaming street lamps from Mile 17 into Buea town and from Mile 17 right down to beyond Mile 16. Similarly the same phenomenon can be observed from Mile 17 to Muea and beyond. The major roads have been cleared of vending containers. All the unsightly houses that had stood by the roadside, either serving as business premises or private residences and were earmarked for demolition have been brought down accordingly. Either the owners destroyed them voluntarily or the Council did so forcefully. The large hue and cry that broke out when demolition work began has now given way to a silent acceptance of the inevitable. In fact, landlords have found a way of now systematically putting up new buildings that are more attractive than the previous ones. ALCOHOL-FREE JUNCTION Roadside bars have been closed down and for once, the university junction is now void of the boisterous drinking spree groups that used to be commonplace in the vicinity. I once witnessed the Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles, giving bar owners at the junction a talk about the need to move their businesses away from the university areas. Although his interlocutors did not appear to agree with him and offered some resistance, the task became easier when the Head of State made it known he would be visiting Buea. WHERE PEOPLE DISAGREE One aspect of the visit that annoys observers is the fact __________________________________________________________________________ TO READ Part 2 of 2 OF THIS STORY, FOLLOW THE LINK http://tmazonga.blogspot.com/2013/12/snapshot-as-buea-awaits-biya-part-2-of-2.html