34 years after it was earmarked for construction, works on the Ntahbeng–Mankon Palace Road have finally taken off.

Meeting at the Mankon Fon’s Palace on Saturday, the elite of Mankon took a firm commitment to ensure the successful tarring of the Ntahbeng–Mankon Palace Road.

The ceremony came following fears that Edge Construction Company may withdraw from the project citing insecurity. Weeks back, armed separatists kidnapped and maimed some workers of the company. Last week, reports have it that some heavy-duty vehicles of the company were seized the cashier kidnapped.

With execution works slowed on the project site, the elite used Saturday’s ceremony to call on the people of Mankon to take ownership of the project and ensure its protection.

As the event went on, armed separatists staged a fierce attack. They fired several shots near the event venue, sending shock waves down the spines of the population.

The deafening gunshots notwithstanding, attendees say the event was very successful.

It emerged that the armed separatist fighters are demanding money before they can allow the execution of the project.

“These are mostly Amba children from other villages. A sane Mankon child would not block such a project aimed at developing his or her village. There is another war now between Mankon children who are in Amba and their counterparts seeking refuge in Mankon. The few Mankon children left in the Amba thing are ready to leave if the project is disturbed,” a source familiar with the situation told Cameroon-Info.Net.

Cletus Anye Matoya, a political figure and elite of Mankon says they cannot sit back and watch the incessant attacks on the project.

The brilliant economist who doubles as Director-General of the North West Development Authority (MIDENO) said the Ntahbeng-Mankon Palace Road is for Mankon people and all should come on board to protect it.

"We have to improve on the accessibility to the palace come rain, come shine. Those who think that the road is not for the Mankon man should have a rethink," he said.

"Most of the road construction in the urban perimeter of Bamenda is in Mankon. It is our project and we must stand by it," Matoya told the people.

On his part, Prof Fru Angwafo III, President of the Regional Assembly and elite of Mankon urged the population to protect the various development projects going on in Mankon.

"Parents should do everything within their power to instill discipline in their children," he said.

His Royal Majesty Fon S.A.N. Angwafo III recalled that the tarring of the Ntahbeng-Mankon Palace road is a dream come true, the reason why the people of Mankon must work to see that the project is realized as soon as possible.

Before Saturday’s meeting closed, the quarter heads and members of the Mankon traditional council promised to protect the equipment of the various construction companies and ensure that development projects go on hitch-free

It was also an opportunity for the Mayor of Bamenda II, Chenwi Peter to announce the roofing of one of the buildings at the entrance to the historic palace of Mankon.