Gov't Indicts Herakles Farms (SGSOC), Suspends Activities

 By Ian Makia

The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife has suspended all deforestation operations of Herakles Farms pending further investigations in the company’s illegal activities in Cameroon.

As the PSMNR report strongly advised that Herakles Farms (SGSOC) land negotiations should be stopped in particular outside the proposed Herakles Farms (SGSOC) concession to avoid potential land use conflicts, also the report stated “Based on our field observations Herakles Farms (SGSOC) has open around 300ha which is far above the 60ha tolerated by the law if no presidential land lease decree has been signed. Herakles Farms (SGSOC) has already planted a portion of the land and piles of timber are waiting to be auctioned”.

“Some serious evidence of illegal timber exploitation by Herakles Farms (SGSOC) has been noticed close to Fabe village with tracks opened by a caterpillar. There are also very active lands clearing in the area with huge portion of land opened with chainsaws. This may be a sign of land speculation starting in the area” a report stated. It should be recalled that environmentalists have decried and demonstrated that the project is located in a biodiversity hot-spot.

Herakles Farms (SGSOC) negotiation was done with lots of intimidation and bribery, targeting the chiefs and some few influential decision- making members of the communities the report stated.

The negotiation was not transparent and also differs from one village to another. SGSOC negotiation methods were clearly not respecting “Free Prior and Informed Consent” process (FPIC) principles. “FPIC implies that communities have the right to decide whether they will agree to the project or not once they have a full and accurate Understanding of the implications of the project on them and their customary land”. Communities should be informed on what is a large scale plantation, on the positive and negative impacts of Herakles Farms (SGSOC) project in the short, medium and long term. Communities should also be made aware of other development models and on the contribution of the forest to their livelihood.

 

In recognition of the increasing threats to forest and wildlife resources, Cameroon has signed a number of global and regional conventions as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to the conservation of the world’s environment and resources.

Two of such conventions include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the March 1999 Yaoundé Declaration. In the latter, Central African Heads of State jointly agreed to stamp out poaching (illegal hunting) and any non sustainable exploitation…as well as work with local communities to sustainably manage forest and wildlife resources in the Sub-region. Furthermore, in 1995 the government of Cameroon formulated a new forestry policy with the aim to protect the environment and its resources.

This new policy and the legal framework provided for (1994 Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Laws), express the wish of the government of Cameroon to increase the involvement and participation of local populations in the management and conservation of forest and wildlife resources in order to improve their living conditions.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

How CPDM Concentrates on Funding Election Rigging and Not Development

Mbengwi roadwork substandard, inadequate

By Felix Teche Nyamusa SDF Mbengwi Parliamentary hopeful.

The once famous Acha-Tugi General Hospital and Momo food basket vibrant in the President Ahmadou Ahidjo era are today history. A belated, ongoing attempt to reconnect the area even just to Mbengwi which is only about 25 kilometres from Bamenda is plagued by substandard works.

 Mbengwi, it is worth mentioning, is the Divisional Headquarter of the Momo Division of the North West Region. It is, the state neglected, home to one of the pillars of “Today’s Cameroon Nation” – Hon S. T Muna: may his soul rest in the Lord. The Sub Divisions here are Mbengwi (Meta), Batibo, Ngie, Njikwa and Widikum. Roads linking Bamenda – Regional Capital of North West and Mbengwi, as well as those linking Mbengwi to her Sub Divisions are hardly pliable all year round. These bad roads have greatly impoverished and precipitated avoidable death of inhabitants here. Government prefers to lavish money on rigging elections to ensure the ruling CPDM Party wins like the case of the 2013 Senatorial than carry out development. This nation is characterized by spendthrift exotic celebration of stolen victory, controversial occasions and, heavy importation of foreign goods and services … to the disadvantage of locals. Ahidjo era roads though earthed were all year motor passable due to constant maintenance. Cocoyam, corn, palm oil, plantains, cattle et al were hitherto easily fared to other towns of Cameroon. There was total exchange of goods and services inter and intra Momo with relatively marked improvement in social standards but not so today, in Biya’s reign. Cameroonians have been deprived of their Momo food basket – which consequently spells economic doom for the indigenes of the Division. A developed-world standard missionary hospital – the Acha-Tugi General Hospital with its nostalgia Eye, surgical and other departments have been starved of patients because of impassable access roads, especially during rainy seasons. Cameroonians from all regions will bear witness to the previous services of this health facility. The hospital attracted patients from far away places including Cross river state – Nigeria and the Republic of Gabon – hence the economic disservice caused by the CPDM regime to Mbengwi in particular and Cameroon in general.

Providing basics like roads, portable water, electricity and schools to Cameroonians using collective taxes and nation’s resources is not a favour. We urge government to speedily complete the Mbengwi – Bamenda road stripe which is on now and open up others from Mbengwi to her Sub Divisions. We remind the CPDM regime that building fragile roads which will be dilapidated before they are even up to a year is waste of scarce resources – wide enough roads with reinforced material and tar is economical.

Mbengwi, Momo it is worth mentioning, at this moment still has roads as one of her pressing needs.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Meet Julius Mbunkur: The Exemplary Young Contractor

 By FC Junior

"Shey" Julius Mbunkur

In life there are three categories of people, those who make things happen, those who observe things happen and those who comment on the way things are happening. However, a right person falls within the rank of those who make things happen. They are people with independent minds, workaholics and those who like what they do. They have self-esteem and would do extra-ordinary things in a very common way.

 Dignity, wise men opine, does not consist in possessing honours but in deserving them. This is to say that if you are by any stroke of historical accident, bestowed with honours that are undeserved; it makes no sense for it is tantamount to putting a golden ring on the nose of a pig.

In a nutshell, Councilor Julius Mbunkur is an exemplary young politician cum contractor par excellence not because he is a politician but because he genuinely deserves such dignity and honour and has merited them through his own might and right.

GS Binju constructed by Julius Mbunkur

He is an able Abbot fit to represent whosoever on this planet called earth without any complex due to his high sense of duty and commitment both in politics and business.  This is so because this young man has been able to combine politics and business to make the them bedmates. At the level of politics, Julius Mbukur is a militant of the Social Democratic Front-SDF. It is rare to see a young dynamic politician entering politics on the opposition platform, yet he did it and he is succeeding. Political analysts have often described him as a pragmatic politician.  He has not entered politics to reap where he did not sow, but rather where he thinks he can make a sound contribution to the development of the country.  This explains why he spends from his own pocket and being a visionary that he is, he chooses the Social Democratic Front (SDF), a phenomenon which has sent shock waves to the spines of the Donga Mantung CPDM political iguanas.

Being elite of Binju in Nkambe, Julius Mbukur knows without being told that the ruling CPDM party can only manage to get few votes through dirty gimmicks.

As a councilor, Julius Mbukur represents the interest of Binju people in Nkambe. During council sessions, all hopes are usually in him as he would make sure that he scrutinizes every little thing. As a great lobbyist, he has succeeded where many failed woefully, given that makes sure that development projects are allocated for his area. However that is not our interest for now. Our interest is that he is not a young man to pigeon-hole with when it comes to executing contracts.

The Young Role Model

Private residence he constructed

Julius Mbukur is a multi-talented young business man. He is the proprietor of the famous Divisional Hotel in Nkambe and like Farfre in The Mayor of Casterbrigde, every little thing he touches prosper. This apparently explains why many youths admire him and calls him, “The Role Model” because he advises his peers and even elders on business edeavours.

Because of his judiciousness, unassuming nature, God fearing and straight forwardness, Julius Mbukur is often described as somebody who loves his profession to an extent that he drinks business, eats business and dreams business.

Above all, Julius Mbunkur has honoured himself and the rest of young men of Donga Mantung by clearly demonstrating by his acts that what an old man can do, a young man can also do it better. 

Julius Mbukur can tell you it was no piece of chocolate when he launched Ets BUDISON, a construction company in 2011.

Given that he had experience that he had worked with his father since 1993 in supervising his jobs in the field, he decided to register, ETS BUDISON.

But being a workaholic by nature Julius knocked on doors and established relationships with young man and women in the Diaspora who were willing to build back home as well as other local vote-holders. Soon he was able to be awarded a contract by the Nkambe Cultural and Development Association-NKACUDA. The construction of two classrooms at Government School Moh and an additional two classrooms at Government School Binju placed him on the pedestals of successes.  “I got the courage to bid as a general contractor” he says.  Although I didn't win some of the jobs, I was happy to know the process of what it takes to be able to bid on your own.” However, the Nkambe Council discovered the knack in the young man and he was awarded the contract to rehabilitate the administrative block of the council. He was again trusted and awarded another contract to rehabilitate the Nkambe Council Rest House and the construction of the slaughter house in Nkambe town. “I think that prudence and scrutiny are the watch-words in the execution of contracts”. The manner and the level of work that he did for NKACUDA caught the admiration of the Fon of Nkambe, HRH Jafbu Ibrahim Nfor that he crowned him “Shey Ngiri” for hard work, a traditional honour that is bestowed on trusted people in Mbum land.

Of late, he was awarded a contract by the National Community Driven Program-PNDP to construct two classrooms, a store, an office and modern toilets at GS Binju. Besides, Julius Mbukur has been the first contractor to win the admiration of Mbum young men and women in the Diasporas. He has constructed over six homes for them. Some of these houses are located in Nkambe and the neigbouring Binshua village.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Lightning Strike Ravages 22 Cows in Donga Mantung

 

Ardo Yaya Adamu’s herd has been reduced to almost half by a lightning strike. The incident that took place on May 13, 2013 at Akweto –Misaje has left breeders of Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon speechless. It is very common in the North West Region that every year tens to hundreds of cows are killed by lightning strike. Twenty-two mature cows were electrocuted by the lightning strike.

The strike also knocked down the herdsman but he didn’t sustain any major injury. The group of cows was in the valley during the heavy down pour of rain. Even some cows that were up the hill were also killed

Twenty cows were electrocuted under the tree shades while two others were also killed up the hill. About 30 were out of the range of the lightning strike and they all survived. Yet, all the old bulls were all killed. “I lost 18 animals of ages 14 and 15 years old”, narrates Ardo Yaya Adamu in agony and pains. A technician from the Divisional Delegation of Livestock told this reporter that the least of the cow could cost not less than 180.000 FCFA and that biggest could have been sold at about 700.000 FCFA live-weight.The damages incurred by Ardo Yaya Adamu is estimated at about 20-28 Million FCFA.

It is even alleged that the horns of cows attract lightning. Yet it has not been proven. Ardo Yougouda Moussa also remarked that every time lightning strikes, it also looks for a mass to hit. He said since the area is savanna without huge trees, lightning seek solace in cows. All eyes are turned to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization where there is a fund for victims of natural disasters for the grazer to re-establish himself.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Baby Factory Exposed in Nigeria

 Courtesy of Al Jazeera (By Yvonne Ndege West Africa Corespondent) 

 During raid in Imo State, police found young girls forced to become pregnant and give birth repeatedly.

The tiny building that housed a baby factory in Umuaka, Imo State in Eastern Nigeria was dilapidated and filthy. Nobody knows how many pregnant girls and teenagers passed through the factory or how long it had existed, before it was raided by Nigerian police five days ago.

The girls were set free. It was understandable that locals were not suspicious about what was going on there. At the front of the compound that housed the baby factory, there was a small informal mineral water packeting factory, fully equipped with machines and water packaging boxes everywhere.

But not far behind, behind a few small trees, bushes and oddly built walls and open air passage ways, the baby factory lay. Girls were crammed into four tiny rooms where they slept on nothing but straw mats, without beddings.

The police told us that babies were conceived in these rooms, right on the floor. Girls were often lined up and forced to have sex in full view of other teenage girls, one after the other. The girls were impregnated by an elderly security guard, who watched the gate of the "mineral water packaging factory" during the day. And impregnated the girls at night.

It is also believed that a 23-year-old man found living in the compound was hired by the factory owner to impregnate the girls.

The factory owner, a woman known only as "Madam One Thousand" fled the factory during the raid. But some of the girls showed up at the factory pregnant already.

They were tricked into thinking it was a safe haven for teenage girls who did not want to keep their babies, but did not want an abortion either. They intended to give their babies up for what they thought was a formal adoption. But once they were in the compound, they were held prisoner by Madam One Thousand - and forced to get pregnant again and again and again.

The police have discovered that babies were sold for as little as $600. They are still investigating how many were sold, and where they might have ended up. The pregnant girls have told police everything they know. They are now being given counseling and are being taken care of by Imo State government.

Some of the girls we met are very worried about their future. Some of the girls parents do not even know where they are. But at least now their in safe hands and out of the hands of Madam One Thousand.

Baby-trafficking is becoming a problem in Eastern Nigeria of recent. On Wednesday night a raid in Enugu saw six girls all under 17 freed, from a similar baby factory. And just two weeks ago several pregnant girls were freed from a baby factory in Abia state.

The Nigerian authorities recognise the seriousness of this problem. But a month ago the European Union published a report saying that human trafficking is the third biggest crime in Nigeria.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Sparrow Hawk: Charles Metouck Transferred to Kondengui Prison

Classified sources have hinted that the former General Manager of SONARA, Charles Metouck has been a transfer to the central prison in Yaoundé (popularly known as Kondengui). According to the hint the former GM was secretly transferred on May 08. The operation we gathered was conducted in a very discrete manner.

It is alleged that the move to transfer the former SONARA from Buea prison is linked to his imminent appearance in the Special Criminal Court (TCS) based in Yaoundé. Allegations are also rife at that Charles Metouck is pursued by the special court for alleged acts of "of mismanagement and attempted act of embezzling about 669 million FCFA”.  
It should be recalled that Charles Metouck was last April sentenced to nine years in prison for "destruction of documents belonging to the Sonora, illegal possession of keys and badge of office, etc.  Yet Metouck said he obtained permission from the Board Chairman, Ebong Ngolle who refused that he never gave any permission to the former GM to enter his former office. It is alleged Charles Metouck destroyed some documents and even carried out illegal money transactions with the complicity of some of his colleagues on that day. He was arrested and detained before being sentenced. Allegedly, another new Metouck case is about to start and this time with the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde (affaire a suivre).

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa