Stay away from corruption and corrupt people - Okalia Bilai warns

Bernard Okalia Bilai, Governor of the South West Region has warned the region’s newly installed Regional Delegates to stay clear from corruption and all forms of malpractices in the public service.

Governor OBB made the appeal to 17 newly appointed regional service heads at the National Social Insurance Hall in Mile 17 Buea, while commissioning them on Friday, March 6.

The Governor reminded the delegates that they were being commissioned at a time the Head of State has scheduled a special program of investment for the country– the 3-year Emergency Development Plan. As such, he called on them to demonstrate good governance and ethics in their various sectors to help government realise its goals.

To do this, the governor told the delegates and regional service heads that they must discard old habits and embrace a new ways of serving the public because they will be held responsible for their actions.

The Governor observed that in the past, Regional Delegates worked from the comforts of their offices; taking actions that contradicted what obtained on the field.

“At the moment, the government through the Ministry of Economy has programmed priority projects. All those projects should not suffer any hitch because of favouritism, corruption and any other problem that can jeopardise the execution of these projects,” he said.

He went on to add that severe sanctions will be meted out against corrupt civil servants, as well as contractors and accomplices to corruption.

Given that the law empowers him to personally represent the head of state at the regional level, as well as all other ministers, the governor reminded the regional delegates that they are only technical advisers to him, and not representatives of their ministers.

He warned that rampant corruption observed in the execution of state projects and the exchange of “brown envelopes” as a prerequisite for getting government contracts must end. “That is why I say we will not only prepare disciplinary files for the officials who will find themselves involved in any malpractices. We’ll investigate and send them to the courts together with their accomplices – contractors and all the other suppliers. It is clear that this is not from me only, it is from hierarchy. That’s why we were talking about corruption and malpractices, not only for the attention of the regional delegates, but also those who are corrupting them.” The Governor stressed.

Those installed include:


1. Lihinach Josue, Regional Chief of Taxes


2. Ngo née Grace Ngobiesalaka, Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture


3. Ivo Vevanje, Regional Delegate of Transport


4. Igondoh John Atosoh, Regional Delegate of Employment and Vocational Training


5. Ekwadi Songue, Regional Delegate for Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development


6. Enang James Enang, Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development


7. Bake Irene Lobe, Regional Delegate of Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicraft


8. Bipane Abanda Denis, Regional Delegate of Trade


9. Ebai Maurice Atine, Regional Delegate of Basic Education


10. Nouboue Alice, Regional Controller of Finance


11. Achu Rosette Bih, Regional Delegate of Communication


12. Ngaima, Regional Delegate for Economy, Planning and Territorial Development (MINEPAT)


13. Willington Tanyi Tanyi, Regional Delegate for Public Works


14. Dr. Chiawah Cecilia Ebonkeng Mungo, Regional Delegate for Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry


15. Etah Enoh Moses, Regional Delegate for Mines, Industries and Technological Development


16. Enonguene Felix Elung, Regional Delegate For State Property, Survey And Land Tenure


17. Nkwelle Epie Time, Regional Delegate for Post and Telecommunications