By Francis Tim Mbom
Some two expatriates of Algerian origin: Ali Benbri and Mirochi, who are said to have been the brains behind the progress of the multi-billion FCFA Limbe Shipyard project, are reported to have bundled up their belongings in disenchantment and gone back home.
The duo, reportedly naval construction engineers, are said to have been those directly concerned with the progress of construction works that has been going on at the Shipyard site in Limbe.
It is worth nothing that after the completion of works on the break water embankment that stretches far into the sea at the Shipyard site besides SONARA in Limbe in early 2008, the company proceeded with the construction of workshops and the erection of office structures among others.
But the pace at which the progress of this project was going soon started to witness a disheartening decline after the former General Manager of the Company, Zaccheus Mungwe Forjindam, was sacked in May, 2008.
Since his replacement with Bikoro Alo'o six months ago, the future of this project estimated to cost over FCFA 86 billion has become gloomy.Either as a result of disagreements with the new boss or displeasure with the way things have been going on, some of the workers have either been on strike, have resigned or have been sacked out rightly.
The latest resignations of the Algerian engineers, The Post gathered, was reportedly due to the shoddy way the project has been handled since Forjindam's sacking for alleged defalcation of some FCFA 900 million.Besides, the Limbe Shipyard being constructed as the repair site for oil rigs has virtually no rig on the site now.
However, The Post was told on Wednesday, January 7, that two rigs: Delta Queens and High Island 7 had got to the yard for repairs.
One More Worker Kicked Out
The Post equally learnt, Wednesday, that one of the Project Managers of the Limbe Shipyard Project, Jean Pondi, was Monday, December 29, fired from his portfolio.
Inside sources told The Post that though there has not been any official notice to this effect, Pondi had been effectively replaced.
Pondi happens to have been one of the pioneer managers whom Forjindam had entrusted with the task of overseeing the daily progress of the shipyard.Meantime, recent reports indicate that the Presidency was seriously pondering over the issue of the eminent release of Forjindam on bail.
He has been in pre-trial detention at the New bell Prison in Douala since May, 2008.
His case is expected to come up for examination again, in the weeks ahead.
"Meantime, recent reports indicate that the Presidency was seriously pondering over the issue of the eminent release of Forjindam on bail."
I have said that this guy should be released and returned to his job.
This is a good lesson for Paul Biya. In this world highly capable people on-the-job are rare, and in Cameroon they are even harder to find.
Cameroonians are prone to over-talking and boasting, yet when challenged to perform on the job they prove empty.
When you have a rare find like Forjindam who can create something out of nothing, you don't treat him the way he has been treated.
There are many incompetent, embezzlement-prone high-level ministers whose corruption is well documented yet Paul Biya has not authorised their investigation and arrest.
He was all too quick to authorise the arrest of Forjindam, a man he had singled out only a few years ago as a model Cameroonian to emulate, even though the evidence against him has never been clear-cut.
As it is turning out, the guy is in jail because of jealousy and over-ambition from a rival who has used political manoeuvres to usurp his position.
In the end, mediocrity has replaced excellence and the results are there for all to see.
Mr Biya should learn a sound lesson from this about how to manage people and the nation.
He should learn that when you have a rare germ you should investigate thoroughly any allegations about him or her before taking them seriously. And you should not remove this germ from his post until the evidence is clear-cut.
Posted by: Dr A A Agbormbai | Friday, 09 January 2009 at 01:49 PM
You are making some incredible assumptions; that Biya is interested in progress; that he is interested in seeing development in the anglophone part of the country; that after 26 years of economic downward spiral his administration has woken up; that these francophone buffoons in all of Africa who doggedly take others from their crooked and resource exploiting colonial french handlers have the common sense to change directions; that Congo(Brazza),DRC, CAF, Tchad,Togo, Ivory Coast, Gabon (bongo indicted in France for robbing Gabon for 35years)can wake up and see how backward they are compared to anglophone Africa. Keep trying maybe you will succeed after 500 years. These buffoons who run these countries only care about becoming french citizens, laziness, drinking red wine and eating cheese, dressing up in the most expensive suits and shoes (see Obasanjo attire and Ghanians) I could go on and on....
Posted by: tombele | Friday, 09 January 2009 at 07:59 PM
AGBOR MBAI AND ANY SOUTHERN CAMEROONIAN
WHO PASSED THROUGH THOSE THEIR
GLORIFIED HIGH SCHOOLS CALL UNISITE DE YAOUNDE OE ECOLE NORMAL IN THEIR YOUTHS , HAVE BECAME BRAINWASHED AND INFECTED WITH MALIGN, ENCAPHOLOGY, DEFFICITE, THAT THEY ALL NEED MEDICAL
BRAIN DETOX. IN NOT WHAT IS SOUTHERN CAMEROONS BENEFITTING FROM THESE COLONIAL
ESTABLISHMENT OFTHE FRENCH CAMEROUN AND PAUL BIYA?
Posted by: red flag | Saturday, 10 January 2009 at 12:18 AM