I did not sell-off Limbe Botanic Gardens - Zang III, Fako SDO

A rather furious SDO was reacting to rumours that he, in collaboration with South West Governor, Okalia Bilai Bernard, have sold the land hosting the Limbe Botanic Gardens.

Zang III insists that the Botanic garden has not been sold, but that part of it has been leased. Chief Epupa Samuel Ekum of Dikolo village in Limbe III was the one who first raised the alarm that the Gardens has been sold.

According to findings made by Cameroon Journal, the land in question measures 3,400 square metres and is situated directly behind the Neptune Cabaret, stretching across both sides of the Limbe River right up to the bridge leading up to the Botanic Gardens’ main Entrance.

Documents show that in January 2012, a business magnate, Achu Lifu Roland Cho wrote a letter requesting for land for the construction of a Leisure Park in Limbe to the tune of FCFA 250 million.

A site board commission headed by former Fako SDO, Bona Ebengue Francois gave out the land that constitutes part of the Botanic Garden.

A decision by the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure signed on May 8, 2013 officially authorized Achu Roland to occupy the said land.

The minister’s decision states that Achu Roland should construct on the land using only semi-permanent material. The authorization lasts for five years after which it could be taken back by the state, or terms renegotiated. Achu is required to pay a yearly fee of FCFA 6.8 million to the Fako Divisional Delegation of Lands.

Zang III has, however, promised hell to those who are out to soil his name and that of the Governor.

Land sales in Fako have been a very topical issue recently with the Prime Minister having to step in to suspend land surrenders.