Potential Eruption Of Mt Cameroon: Governor Says No Need To Panic

S outh West Governor, Ber­ nard Okalia Bilai has called on the population of Buea and its environs to remain calm and not succumb to panic fol­ lowing tremors witnessed in some neighbourhoods in the city. He was speaking in Buea while chairing a strategic working session with various stakeholders, with the ob­ jective to put in place practical and comprehensive measures that can prevent casualties in the case of an eventuality of an eruption. He says government and local autho­ rities are increasing monitoring ef­ forts given that Mount Cameroon is an active volcano and coupled with the fact that we are within the 17-25 years periodicity of Mount Cameroon eruptions. During the meeting, Dr Mafany Teke, South West Regional Delegate of Scientific Research presented field studies carried out in some 11 villages after the last week’s tremor and noted that there is no reason for alarm. However, the technical experts during the mee­ ting expressed the need to train community members on safety mea­ sures, do simulations on preventive measures, identify safe zones and evacuation pathways in different communities, amongst others. The Governor instructed the tradi­ tional rulers to identify safe zones in their respective villages where denizens can be evacuated in the event of an eruption. Thet are also expected to sensitize the population on safety measures. For the City of Buea, he urged the DO of Buea and the Mayor to do same in neigh­ bourhoods across the city centre, Meanwhile, he stated that the Di­ saster Risk Management Plan will be updated and adapted to the present context. Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai while assuring the po­ pulation of government response mechanisms in case of suc...