Tiko decries CDC neglect, injustice at port

The people of Tiko have told SW Governor Okalia Bilai Bernard that the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) that covers three-quarters of Tiko land has refused to live up to its social responsibilities.

Addressing the governor on behalf of his people on January 7, Tiko Mayor, Moukondo Daniel Ngande, said, Tiko has many firms, but “our major concern is that; the lofty, fantastic and beautiful ideals that triggered the creation of firms, namely, economic, social and human development like social amenities, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, are gradually being abandoned.”

According to the mayor, CDC has discarded the social aspect of its activities that was part of its inception.

“A case in point is the farm to market roads which are fundamental to the livelihood of our people. They are in a piteous state, they are under total neglect, hence, our people face an ordeal to transport their produce from their farms to markets,” Moukondo said.

He regretted that sons and daughters of Tiko who make up the bulk of the workforce of the CDC and other corporations “are discarded and ignored when it comes to promotion to management and high profile positions even though they render long loyal and dedicated services to the said companies.”

Amidst cheers and thunderous applauds, Moukondo said “…the CDC living quarters, better known pejoratively as camps are an eye saw. A majority of the camps are in a sordid, squalid state and to say the least, some are not decent for human habitation. The structures have never been refurbished for many years now; they have no sewage disposal system, the purported recreational facilities are in ruins. They are more or less open air prisons.”

Moukondo told governor Okalia that there is recurrent and constant pollution of the air by toxic gases emitted from CDC rubber factory in Tiko Town, coupled with the aerial spraying of radioactive insecticides of farms close to inhabited areas by PH and CDC companies.

Moukondo’s list of worries did not end with the CDC. He revealed that despite the riches in the Tiko Port, Tiko Council receives no franc from its activities.

There was thus a cry for Governor OBB to seek solutions to the problems of the Tiko people.

Governor Okalia in response to the worries promised to seek solutions at his level, the level of hierarchy or help the population seek solutions to some of the problems.