NGO condemns chieftaincy mix-up, backs 'Mile 4 Water' committee

The Global Forum for the Defence of Human Rights Association, GFDHRAC, has outrightly stated that it is solidly behind the Mile 4/Bonadikombo Water Management Committee, in its quest to provide one of life’s basic necessities to the people.

The Human Rights group, in an exclusive chat with The SUN recently, stated that their goal is to improve the well-being of denizens, and not to dwell in issues of personal and selfish interests, as is currently the order of the day within the community.

The Rapporteur of the NGO, Ambe Jacob, alongside the Executive Director, Abraham Nkongho Atem, say much has been realised under the committee made of goodwill ambassadors headed by Motutu Njie Peter, who have the interest of the community at heart.

“As a Civil Society and a Human Rights Organisation, we are putting everything in place to educate the people of Bonadikombo to know their stand, not to be carried away by people who have come in with their own selfish aims to hinder true development.

Water is a real necessity and therefore, Global Forum stands to declare that mile 4 must grow and advance”, Ambe Jacob emphasised.

The Mile 4/Bonadikombo Water Project is an assistance given to the community by Swiss Aid For Technical Assistance, SATA, through the Delegation of Agricultural and Rural Development Fako, to cater for Bonadikombo, Wotutu and Ewongo communities.

After a committee was put in place to run the project, another community was appointed by Fako SDO to replace the former, and this was what brought in crisis to the project, as both committees could not agree and accusations, slander, back-biting and egoistic interests were the order of the day. However, the matter was taken to court, and the ruling was given in favour of the former committee, headed by Motutu Njie Peter.

According to Ambe Jacob, the committee has been working enormously well and everything is normal, as all households within Bonadikombo are satisfied. The NGO has also stated that they have no business with other issues, especially in relation to the chieftaincy stool in the community, which according to them is being mixed-up with the water project by some individuals for their selfish interest.

“No member of this organisation has the right to write and petition something which does not concern him, without the knowledge of the Executive Director; we strongly condemn such an action, as they are doing so at their own peril”, said Abraham Nkongho, Executive Director of the NGO.

Corroborating this, Ambe Jacob said one Teguia David who used to be a member of Global Forum, but had long dismissed because of his questionable character. “Because of selfish interest, he had to connive with Mukete Daniel to wrangle over water crisis in Mile 4 with that of chieftaincy; we have no hands in that, and we stand for what the people want, our concern is water because water is life”.

The Global Forum for Defense for Human Rights was formed in 2006, and has as aim to fight Human Rights abuses, through educational programmes, seminars, conferences etc.

The NGO among other things, sensitises the population on every December 10 (Human Rights day), where they invite personalities and the population to take part in their deliberations, focusing on debates, conferences and presentation of papers on issues that have to do with the people’s right.