05 May, 2009
Bamenda: six months to dislodge Containers
First city council session set agenda to transform Bamenda into one of the most beautiful city. Press release No. BCC 1042/RA/GS/ VOL .1/5 of 16th April, 2009 set the pace for the development of metropolitan Bamenda with the pioneer Government Delegate to the City Council, Ndumu Vincent Nji giving inhabitants of Sisia, New Layout and Abangoh neighbourhood 12 months to evacuate failing which the City council shall be obliged to destroy the buildings at a cost borne by the owners. The Government Delegate reveals that in the weeks ahead, council staff shall verify the authenticity of building permits within the urban zones indicating that those who erected buildings in forbidden escarpments had been warned. Away from that the City council has given owners of containers planted in the city, six months to dislodge them or face the music after reminding them that it is forbidden to set up make sift containers within the city council area. The way forward for a modern city also requires cleanliness and the Government Delegate says the city council will in two months carry out sanitation tours to all bars, cafes, restaurants, eating houses, night clubs and hotels. It is also on the agenda of the City council to relocate some inter-urban travel agencies and motor mechanic garages to more convenient parts of the city.
Against this background, all owners of vehicle abandoned along the streets in town have two weeks to clear them. Farming activities have also been forbidden especially along major streets with the population encouraged to plant flowers and ornamental trees in compliance with existing regulations.
The pioneer budgetary session of the city council on April 28, 2009 stressed the need to transform Bamenda into the third largest and most beautiful city in Cameroon. The Government Delegate harped on the need for a proper master plan, the clearing of all temporal structures on streets and the need to reorganize and settle motor garages, hawkers and transporters in convenient parts of the city. The plan also prepares Bamenda towards the challenges of the next three years when the city is expected to face the challenge of presenting to Cameroon and neighbouring Nigeria adequate infrastructure to merit the terminal function it will enjoy with work on the construction of the Bamenda-Enugu highway.
The
MTN Group has reached the 100 million subscriber mark in its drive to
become the world’s leading telecommunications service provider in
emerging markets. With a telecommunications network that covers a
population of approximately 500 million, the 100 million subscriber
achievement means that one in five people in MTN’s 21 markets in Africa
and the Middle East is an MTN subscriber. The group recorded 98,203,000
subscribers at 31 March 2009 - up 8% from 31 December 2008 - touching
the all-important 100 million mark in April this year as the telecoms
operator signed up more customers. MTN Group President and CEO,
Phuthuma Nhleko, said on Monday: “For a 15-year-old company operating
amid increased competitive intensity in all its markets, this is a most
satisfactory performance by MTN. This affirms our leadership position
in many areas of our business”. “MTN’s success is also attributable to
a business model that has included sound financial investment, strong
corporate governance, effective management and corporate social
responsibility,” he explained.
Nhleko paid tribute to MTN’s culturally diverse staff of over 40
nationalities across the company’s markets, saying their “can-do”
spirit and “innovative mindset” had placed the MTN Group in a strong
competitive position.
The analysis below is presented on a regional basis. The proportional subscriber contribution between the regions remains relatively unchanged with that at 31 December 2008. South and East Africa (SEA) region contributed 26% (December 2008: 27%) of the Group’s total subscribers while West and Central Africa (WECA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) contributed 45% (December 2008: 44%) and 29% (December 2008: 29%), respectively.
South and East Africa Region
The SEA region increased its subscriber base by 4% for the quarter.
The South African operation contributes 69% to the region’s subscribers, increasing 2% to 17,428,000 for the quarter ended 31 March 2009. The modest increase in subscribers was due to the mix of seasonal trends, weakening economic conditions and aggressive competition. Uganda increased its subscriber base by 13% due to the continued success of MTN Zone.
West and Central Africa Region
The WECA region increased its subscriber base by 10% for the quarter.
The strong growth in the region was primarily due to growth in Nigeria which contributes 59% to the region’s subscribers and recorded a 12% increase in its subscriber base to 25,908,000. This was mainly due to continued improvements in network quality and capacity with 173 base stations added in the quarter. Ghana increased its subscriber base by 5% despite fierce competition. Both Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire increased their subscriber bases by 7% to 3,824,000 and 3,810,000, respectively.
Middle East and North Africa Region
The MENA region recorded a 9% increase in subscribers for the quarter.
This was due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which contributes 63% to the region’s subscribers and increased its subscribers by 14% to 18,252,000. The disappointing slowdown of subscriber acquisitions in Sudan and Syria is mainly attributed to the economic downturn in the respective countries. Sudan increased its subscriber base to 2,658,000 while Syria experienced negative growth of 3% to 3,428,000 subscribers.