THE IMPRESSIVE BALANCE SHEET OF CHENWI PETER AS MAYOR OF BAMENDA II COUNCIL: From Crisis to Concrete Achievements

THE IMPRESSIVE BALANCE SHEET OF CHENWI PETER AS MAYOR OF BAMENDA II COUNCIL: From Crisis to Concrete Achievements

By The Watchdog Tribune

When Chenwi Peter took over as Mayor of Bamenda II Council in 2020, he inherited a municipality on its knees — no equipment, ghost town Mondays, school boycott, COVID-19, and a population ravaged by the socio-political crisis.

Six years after, his balance sheet is being described by even his critics as the most resilient and people-centered in the history of the Council.

1. From Zero Equipment to a Council With Its Own Machines.

"Before we came, Bamenda II did not possess a single heavy-duty equipment." — Mayor Chenwi

Today the Council owns:

- A Grader

- A Dump Truck

- A Front-end Loader

All purchased from council funds, and now used to rehabilitate roads in Ntamulung, Alakuma, Mbatu, Mbayu, Old Town and other quarters without waiting for Yaounde.

2. Education: Defending Our Only Industry;

In a region where children were abducted and schools burnt, Chenwi made a declaration: "Education is our only industry in the North West. We must protect it."

His record:

- 1,874 cartons of didactic materials to 27 primary and 15 nursery schools in 2020

- Construction of 2 classrooms in Mbatu, renovation of Nursery School Mbayu, GPS and GBPS Old Town

- Benches, chairs, annual back-to-school support for children of bike riders and persons living with disabilities

- Transport money and mission allowance for head teachers to collect materials — a first.

3. Health: Taking Healthcare to the Doorsteps

Donation of critical equipment to Atuakom, Ntambag, Alabukam, Azire and Alabukam Integrated Health Centres:

Microscopes, adult and children weighing scales, BP machines, vacuum extractor, autoclave, incinerator, wheelchairs, delivery beds, glucometers, haemoglobin meters, computers, printers.

Plus rehabilitation of Bamenda II Health District Office.

During COVID-19: street sensitization, hand-washing buckets, soap, sanitizers and disinfection of schools.

4. Water and Social Housing 

- Multiple boreholes constructed in water-scarce communities

- Social housing project for low-income earners — almost complete, valued at 415 million FCFA, on land requested from the Fon of Mankon

- Construction of Mile 90 Market now operational, reducing long treks to city centre, with a modern slaughter house planned.

5. Economy and Humanitarian Face

- Funding of small businesses for IDPs and youth

- Poultry equipment to IDPs to start businesses

- Yearly support to bike riders — from exercise books for their children (2020-2024) to 400,000 FCFA direct fuel support to 90+ riders in October 2026

- Food support to buyam-sellams, Ramadan support to Muslims, massive support to persons with disabilities

It is this humanitarian touch that earned him the title "Jesus Christ II" in some quarters and awards like:

- Most Resilient, Innovative, Dev't-Oriented Mayor by CENPA

- The Watchdog Tribune Nation Builders Award (Gold Category)

- Best Community Mayor and Developer 2022 (Prime International)

- Guardian Post 2020 Innovative Local Development Icon

- CBCHS Council Excellence in Inclusion Award

- Recognition by City of Brampton, Canada (Dec 2022)

- Courageous Leader Award endorsed by UN CISRI

6. Future Projects That Will Change Bamenda

- *Cameroon's First Waste Transformation Plant:* On 15 hectares, to convert waste into tiles, organic manure and fertilizer. Worth billions, 15,000 jobs expected. Focal point from Canada visited in January 2026; work to kick off February 2026. First of its kind in Cameroon, third in Africa.

- *First Municipal Firefighting Truck:* Secured from Canada, to be first owned directly by a Council in Cameroon.

*A Mayor Who Lives His Motto*

"WE ARE HERE TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SERVED."

At his 4-year balance sheet press conference, Chenwi Peter was clear: "You all are part of Bamenda II Council, if we're succeeding today, it's thanks to your support."

In a municipality where many councils collapsed, Bamenda II under Chenwi Peter stood, served, and built.

End...