Bokwaongo Chief debunks claim he is against development

Chief Bokwaongo, His Royal Highness Molua Ekane fired back at those criticizing him and likened them to empty vessels making the loudest noise when he invited a reporter to his Place to respond to the allegations leveled against him on June 3.

The Chief of one of the largest villages in Buea subdivision came under scathing criticism from some of his subjects who thought that the traditional ruler is doing little or nothing to enhance development projects in the village with an estimated population of about 4000 people.

The complaining villagers who approached The Recorder and spoke bitterly against their chief on condition of anonymity for fear of their security in the village alleged that, Chief Molua collected over 26 million FCFA in anticipation of Government-CDC land surrender several years ago but the village has not yet been allocated the 100 hectares of land it applied for and the money has not yet refunded to contributors.

“About the land submission, I initiated it myself. Nobody asked me to do it; I did it for my village. I have even received recommendations on the land issue from the SDO. The process was on going but the government has, been suspended the process due to the Fako land surrender crisis till further notice.

So for now I am in a tight position but hopeful that I would be given the demanded land in due course. I know most of the noise makers are those who did not pay their levy”, the Bokwaongo Chief said.

He added that people who paid for the follow-up of the requested land were given receipts and each amount was recorded. He did not disclose the total amount collected but noted that, the cited amount of 26 million was an assumption.

On allegation that the village does not yet have a community hall because the chief and his councilors sold thousands of bricks laid for the project, Chief Molua boasted that he initiated that project and even mobilized for the laying of 3500 bricks but “people who did not agree to the hall project stole most of the bricks. If they don’t want me to construct the hall for them, may be the next chief will do it. That is why I am quiet about it”.

Also, based on the accusation that he and his councilors stole some 500 water pipes donated by MCP and MOCAP to facilitate the extension of water within the village, the chief insisted that the pipes which were not up to 500 are still intact and now that the village has a borehole, the pipes will soon be used for water distribution. “If the time comes I will produce the pipes”, he stated.

The chief was also accused of unilaterally spending some 300,000 FCFA donated to the village by a telecommunication company which planted its antennae in the village. But Chief Molua was swift in telling the reporter that the money was used for the common good.

He recalled that when a local administrator visited the village, the money was used for general reception and refreshment.

Furthermore, the chief dismissed claims that most of his councilors have resigned, leaving him with only three councilors. He noted that the “village council is functional and new members will soon be elected as the term of the current 32member council will soon end”.

He said apart from the failed community hall projects, other projects such as the road extension (ring road from Likoko to Bokwango, with extension up to Sand pit quarter) have been executed.

The chief lamented that ever since he was enthroned in 1979, no villager has approached him with a project but when he initiates them, his village detractors sabotage them.