Bamenda III, Tubah Councils clash over land

The former administrative seat of Tubah Council in Mezam Division of the Northwest Region is presently being contested by the Bamenda ? Council.

According to the Council, the piece of land in contention belongs to Nkwen village. This was one of the issues that came under vetting during the second ordinary session of the Council that was held recently.

Grand Councillor, Charles Kaba, wanted to know why Tubah Council workers have invaded the disputed area and have transformed the Council’s building into private homes.

The Mayor of Bamenda ?, Cletus Fongu, referred the question to the Fon of Nkwen, who said “when I was informed that Tubah Council workers and other villagers have invaded the farmland around the former Tubah Council area, I informed the administration that the area in question belongs to Nkwen village, who ceded the land to the Mezam administration to construct the Council office, before the creation of Bamenda ?, ?? and ? Councils. Before now, that area has served the people of Bafut, Tubah and Mankon. The boundary pillars are there and we need to respect such boundaries, instead of having problems with our neighbours,” Fon Azefor ? of Nkwen told Councillors.

According to him, before planting an injunction order prohibiting any further activity on that piece of land, the Mezam administration was duly notified.

The Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Jean Pierre Ndoumbe Dika, assured the Councillors that the problem will be resolved. He praised the Councillors for mature deliberation and the Mayor for realising many projects within few months in office.

“I know the 50 percent cut in taxes will affect the Council’s income negatively, but I will like you to work harder to source for other avenues of funding for more projects to be realised this year,” Dika advised.

He frowned on the spirit of non-collaboration and the washing of dirty linens in public by Council workers and their technical staff.

“I will no longer tolerate any act of indiscipline, especially from Councillors who are never attentive during Council sessions,” the DO stated.

Enumerating the Council achievements this far, Mayor Fongu cited the building of roads and culverts in villages of Bamenda ?. He said the water plant will be installed soon.

According to him, during this summer holiday, Bamenda ? recruited hundreds of students to carry out holiday jobs within the municipality. These jobs, he said, fetched the students money to enable them assist their parents in buying their school needs.

Faced with the challenges of the reduction of Global Tax by 50 percent, and increase in fuel prices, Mayor Fongu, said the Council will still invest in the training of its staff at CEFAM Buea.

The Member of Parliament for Bamenda and Bali, Hon. Nchinda Fobi, said his micro grant has been allocated for the construction of classrooms, provision of digital equipments to schools in Bamenda ? and payment of fees for underprivileged children.