(A Political Editorial by Dr Ashu NYENTY)
A wave of jubilation is sweeping through Kupe-Muanenguba Division as the community prepares to express heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Republic. The reason for this outpouring of appreciation? The ongoing construction works on the 53-kilometer long-abandoned Bangem-Nguti road, a vital artery that will connect the divisional headquarters to its subdivisions and unlock new opportunities for economic growth.
This mega political event has tongues wagging, with many people discussing why the population of that division should say thank you. Though not closely associated with the organizers, I believe this is something for Kupe-Manenguba to be proud of, based on the preponderance of evidence.
The biblical account of ten lepers in Luke 17 offers a valuable lesson. Only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus after being healed, symbolizing purity of heart, depth of appreciation, and gratitude. This Bible passage conveys several messages, including the importance of gratitude and saying thank you. While Jesus didn’t need the “thank you” out of necessity in biblical times, and President Paul Biya doesn’t desperately need it today, the principle remains relevant. I’m not comparing Paul Biya to Jesus; one is a mortal, and the other is divine. However, we read the Bible to learn applicable lessons for our daily lives.
The context of the passage about the lepers is suitable for application in the likely event in Kupe-Manenguba. Saying “thank you” reveals a lot about the receiver, portraying a clean mind, free from stinginess. Moreover, as seen in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, when Oliver says “I want some more,” it highlights the idea that expressing gratitude can be a way of acknowledging the value of what has been received and potentially opening the door to more benefits or support.
Some might argue that it’s the government’s responsibility to construct roads, which is undeniable. However, the Bible teaches us to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. So, what’s wrong with saying thank you to someone who has fulfilled their obligation? If the road construction was a campaign promise, has the President lost an election in Kupe-Manenguba? Not to my knowledge. Can we imagine the number of localities on the President’s priority list? If Kupe-Manenguba’s dream is becoming a reality, it’s a cause for joy and gratitude.
In the past, the story of the Bangem-Nguti road was recounted like ancient tales in Greek mythology. Today, it has transformed from a mere wish to a palpable reality. So far, 8 kilometers of the road have been paved from Bangem to Enyandong, pending tarring. Although this distance may seem small relative to the road’s extent (53 km), based on personal experience navigating the bumpy and rocky roads in that division, 8 kilometers of passable road is a significant milestone.
The area covered by the road is one of the significant cocoa and coffee basins in that division. In the past, due to the absence of all-season passable roads, much of the cocoa was allowed to rot in the farms or burned down, resulting in untold economic losses to the population and rampant poverty. With a kilogram of cocoa now selling at over 5,000 FRS, imagine what a windfall a passable road would bring to the income of farmers in the area and their standard of living. Additionally, the local population was forced to prefer subsistence farming because the absence of farm-to-market roads did not favor any extra production to enhance the revenue base of the local farmers. Upon construction of the road, such incongruities would be relegated to the dustbin of history.
Therefore, Kupe-Manenguba people, let no one diminish your joy. You have done the right thing by deciding to say thank you. Even those who might criticize you today would wish they were in your shoes. Saying “thank you” portrays the strength of your character and the purity of your heart. So, make merry, show good cheer, and be happy.
*Ashu Nyenty, PhD
Syndicated Editorial Writer and Public Affairs Commentator*
The Bangem-Nguti Road construction moving on steadily and surely.
