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Libreville, August 30, 2024 (Infos Gabon) – This is the hope that the Commission for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) has set as its goal. This is what General Brice Clotel Origi Nguema said last night in a speech to the nation on the anniversary of the military’s assumption of power, August 30, 2023.
The head of state spoke on the occasion of the celebrations of the “liberation coup” that ended the old regime, thus marking the beginning of Gabon’s transition. One year later, taking stock, the transitional president accepted the judgment of the Gabonese people on the path taken and the achievements made. Here is the full text of his speech.
Gabonese, Gabonese,
My dear compatriots,
Today marks the first anniversary of the courageous decision taken by the defence and security forces, united within the Institutional Transition and Restoration Commission (CTRI), to put an end to the old regime following elections that will undoubtedly have the same outcome as in 2016, events that led to protests, material damage and human casualties.
This act was spontaneously named: Coup de la Liberation. This name not only embodies the political liberation of our country. It also means freedom of expression, freedom to take responsibility and, above all, freedom to dream of a new, prosperous and enviable Gabon.
CTRI has made this hope its goal.
My dear compatriots,
As we celebrate the first anniversary of our country’s liberation, it is not the time for me to take stock. I prefer to let the people judge for themselves the progress made and form their own ideas based on what has been achieved so far, with determination and patriotism.
However, you will remember that after the liberation coup, we consulted the positive forces of the country. From this exchange was born the idea of an inclusive national dialogue.
I am pleased with the success of these meetings, whose proposals will be put to a referendum that will take place in the coming days in accordance with the transition timetable.
We then began our republican tour to explain to the people of the interior the reasons for the liberation coup. We were forced to express our deep regret for the precarious conditions in which our people generally live. The infrastructure is old and in some areas almost non-existent. Unemployment is high and there are too many ills that plague the Gabonese people.
Faced with the facts, we decided to initiate nation-building, revive economic activity and promote wealth creation by establishing an aid and support mechanism.
To meet the most urgent needs of the people, we have provided an envelope of 63 billion to nine provinces to strengthen themselves and restart activities.
It is also important to point out that the transition has inherited a heavy debt. In my inaugural speech on September 4, 2023, I pledged to fulfill all of my country’s international commitments to repay this huge debt.
But debt repayment cannot hinder our ambitions or undermine the legitimate development aspirations of the Gabonese people. During this difficult period of transition, the Republic of Gabon invites donors to support its development efforts.
My dear compatriots,
Recognizing the size of our debt, it goes without saying that the development of our country necessarily involves the development of our resources.
Dear Gabonese, let’s get to work! In this way, all our hitherto untapped natural resources are developed, the incredible potential of our El Dorado helps to create wealth, and the daily life of Gabonese undergoes a rapid and lasting transformation.
This is also an opportunity for me to tell you that by purchasing Asara Energy against all odds, I fully realized the rich oil potential that lies beneath our soil.
In this regard, following the discovery in the Mutamba Iroru license (between Gamba and Atola), I announced the exploration of 2 new licenses, Ozigo II and Nziembou II, the development of which will soon begin in conjunction with the GOC.
My dear compatriots,
Since we took charge of the country, CTRI has been committed to abolishing privileges and bringing Gabonese back to highly marginalized sectors in order to build a fairer and more just society.
We will gradually make the urban and suburban transportation sector owned by citizens. Because, of the nearly 10,000 taxis in circulation across the country, less than 10% are driven by citizens. I am committed to seeing this statistic change in the next 5 years.
After a long absence of a national airline, we decided to create Gabon Airlines, and I had the honor of officially launching the company’s activities. This is in line with our desire to take control of the national air transport sector. This company will allow us to rediscover the greatness of our country on the international stage.
The people of Gabon,
my country lacks road infrastructure. By the end of 2030, the country needs to build 2,591 kilometers of roads.
The route involves priority sections that will improve mobility and accessibility for goods and people over the next six years while opening up remote areas.
This will also boost the agricultural sector, thereby reducing our food dependence, and stimulate tourism, a key sector in our economic diversification policy.
Not to be outdone in terms of hospital infrastructure, five specialist centres of excellence are under construction, notably: the Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Specialist Centre at Estuary Endham;
Specialized Centre for Multidisciplinary Education of Children with Disabilities in Port-Gentil, Auguet-Maritime;
The Ndjole Military Hospital in Central Ogoue, a specialized trauma center, is expected to be inaugurated soon;
Franceville is a specialized center for uro-nephrology and renal transplantation;
Finally, there is the Multifunctional Eye Center Woleu-Ntem.
On a completely different level, the need for decent housing remains a concern for many of our compatriots.
The enthusiasm generated by the provision of 500 plots of land in Igumiye, Owendo town under a public-private partnership is a perfect example of this.
The operation will continue to develop another 40 hectares of land, including 800 plots of 500 square meters, all of which have land titles. In this regard, I announce that in the next few days a large-scale operation will be launched to regularize land ownership for the benefit of all my compatriots.
Similarly, we plan to build 1,900 two and three-bedroom social homes for civil servants, following the model designed for the military, where the monthly housing premium will form a mortgage to finance the purchase of the home.
Apart from civil servants, other mechanisms are being worked on which will involve the private sector and the so-called economically disadvantaged groups.
In a few months, the 14 modern buildings that make up the administrative city of Émeraude will be inaugurated. This major infrastructural advance will change the face of the city, but most importantly, will help the State save nearly $30 billion per year by allowing the various tenant ministries to have their own offices.
Furthermore, in order to concretize the State’s actions to combat the high cost of living, I have decided that import exclusivity on certain products will no longer be the exclusive domain of a small number of economic operators.
I want to support pure, fully competitive markets where all Gabonese people can get goods at prices that suit their income.
In order for our country to reach this level of economic and social health, we must have a strong, fair and independent judiciary.
The reforms initiated by the previous Supreme Judicial Council should be seen as the first steps of the new judicial administration in the service of the rule of law.
Gabonese, Gabonese,
My dear compatriots,
One year after the liberation coup, our country is rebuilding itself around values and key republican principles.
Our new Constitution is based on these principles. It guarantees the Gabonese people respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Our country is at a turning point in its history.
We have undertaken significant reforms to rebuild a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Gabon. Our partnership is not over, but it is well underway.
We have begun the transformation and we must continue along this path with determination and pragmatism. As a constant reminder, this Liberation Day will be celebrated in rotation in different provinces.
My dear fellow countrymen, friends of liberty, I know how to rely on your attachment to this country, on your earnest desire to see it regain its rightful place among the community of nations.
May the manna from God and our ancestors accompany us on our journey to happiness.
Honor and loyalty to the motherland!
Thanks.
FIN/INFOSGABON/SM/2024
Copyright Information Gabon
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