New Bomaka chief urged to lead with wisdom

The Divisional Officer, DO, for Buea, Paul Wokam Kouam,recently,exhorted the new Chief of Bomaka village, Emmanuel Kombe, to reign with wisdom.

The DO made the statement during the coronation and installation ceremony of Kombe at his palace.

“After consultative talks on May 12, 2015, you have been crowned third class Chief in Buea. You are required to rule the people with wisdom and humanism and not on techniques,”the DO said.

The DO enumerated the responsibilities and the rights of the Chief embedded in the law to include; to assist the administration in governance and guidance of the population, to be answerable to the administration, to collaborate with forces of law and order in the maintenance of peace and order, to settle disputes according to tradition of the village and to maintain and consolidate all economic activities of the village.

Kouam urged Chief Kombe to handle land matters with caution and equity to ensure social cohesion. He, therefore, demanded for effective and consistent representation of the village in the Buea Land Consultative Board.

The DO also advised the Chief to show equity, prudence and foresightedness and to accept assistance from his fellow notables to carry out his duty effectively. “Above everything, trust in God and in the law of your country. Respect your tradition because that is the only thing that remains when everything has gone,” said the DO.

The new Chief was also reassured of government’s responsibility to protect him against assault, defamation and slander when he is exposed to by dint of his position.

On his part, the President of the Buea Sub-Divisional Conference of Traditional Rulers, Chief Johnson Njombe said “you are a traditional ruler and not an administrator. You are required to make peace and not apply the law like in the court. Rule in the fear of the Lord and apply wisdom and task.”

On his part, the outgoing Secretary General of Bomaka Traditional Council, Martin Effande, cited the need for constant potable water, all-season streets and security as the problems of the people.

Chief Emmanuel Kombe is an economic operator. He is married and a father of five children. He takes over from late Chief Jonathan Kombe, who died three years ago.

Bomaka has a population of about 7,500 inhabitants occupying a surface area of about 106 hectares.