Donga Mantung SDO Puts Promoters of Party Militias to Task, Warns

 By Haruna Mohammed

The Senior Divisional for Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon has warned against the creation of party militia in the Division. Addressing political stakeholders against the backdrop of the Wat incident where Mary Awudu Ngayi, (wife of Hon. Awudu) and the market master for Wat (Ngwayi Ivo alias Ajento Baba) were assaulted by CPDM militants, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard made it clear that Donga Mantung is not fertile ground for party militias. He warned that anyone who takes the law into his/her hands or carries out jungle justice like was the case in Wat will have to be punished accordingly and that person will also face the rage of law courts. Harping on the Wat incident where some individual took the law into their hands, Donga Mantung SDO vomitted that Nkambe is already having a bad image because of that incident. On the security measures, the SDO revealed that all drinking spots (beer parlours, sha houses and fiang drinking spots) shall be closed at certain hours of the night adding that routine patrols shall ensure it strict respect. Harping on why peace must reign in Donga Mantung before, during and after the September 30, Municipal and Legislative Elections, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence and political tolerance.  The media was also catapulted for it role in sensitizing the population on the distribution of voters’ cards. Responsible journalism, the SDO observed should be the menu of media practitioners in Donga Mantung Division. He also warned that political parties shouldn’t us traditional rulers as political tools. As September 30, approaches, security measures we gathered will be intensified with patrols in notorious quarters of Nkambe. 

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Women Threatening to Go Naked into the Street in Nkambe

The Manjus of Nkambe threatening to move naked to express their grievances to the administration and traditional rulers of Nkambe central. Information filtering into our desk indicates that the women are aghast following an incident that took place yesterday at Wat whereby one CPDM aspiring councilor, by name Barr. Chifu Ngenge David slapped Mary Awudu during a confrontation at Wat market square yesterday. The women about 25 in number are still waiting for their peers from other villages  to stage the protest march. It should be recalled that Mary Awudu is Ma Manju and the fact that she was given a slap by an aspiring councilor is creating sensation and havoc. Nkambe central is actually in a mode of confusion and dark clouds loom large as young men and women are quoted to have vowed that if the administration doesn't take precautions the present stalemate may go out of hand.

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Tempers Flare in Nkambe as CPDM Aspiring Councilor Assaults Mary Awudu

 By FC Ndi

Hatred, bitterness, exchange of blows and revenge are luxuries some politicians of Donga Mantung Division are preparing to offer as September 30, approaches. In Donga Mantung, especially Nkambe central, hatred and bitterness is doing a great deal more damage on the population than good. An incident took place today August 18, 2013 in Wat village in Nkambe Central that has taken the administration of Donga Mantung Division aback. Madame Mary Awudu Mbaya, wife of Hon. Awudu Mbaya received blows from a CPDM aspiring councilor for Bongom by name Chifu Ngenge David alias Simple DNC. The incident almost escalidated into a general fight, thank God Mary Awudu cautioned the population not to interfere. There was commotion and sensation today at Wat market square, infact if not of the timely intervention of the 2^nd Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Manshang Nicholas, there would have been chaos as youths trooped into Wat market from other village to defend Mary Awudu. Eyewitnesses say that before youths from other villages started coming in as the news spread, those of Wat and other neigbouring villages were threatening to transform the market into a boxing ring in retaliation but were stopped by the forces of law and order.

Politics they say is a systematic organization of hatred. This statement is not only true to itself in Nkambe and Ndu nowadays but has also demonstrated that it is very precarious for political issues to be trusted in the hands of little school boys who would go round to inflame hatred like wanton boys who kill flies for sports. Those who had the opportunity to read Gulliver’s travels would agree with this reporter that the Lilliputians are men six inches in height but possessing all the pretension and self-importance of full-sized men. They are mean and nasty, vicious, morally corrupt, hypocritical and deceitful, jealous and envious, filled with greed and ingratitude.

The interesting Lilliputian court customs can easily be compared to what is happening in Nkambe right now whereby those seeking political office demonstrate their agility in rope dancing depending on how long and how skillfully a candidate can dance upon a rope. However, it is pathetic that intrigues, blackmail and slanders has now generated into fighting. This is tragic yet but a kind of insane horror. With politics haven transformed into a boxing ring, there is the looming dark cloud which is horrifying. The essence of tragedy is not the doing of evil by evil men but the doing of evil by good men, out of weakness, indecision, sloth, inability to act in accordance with what they know to be right. What some of these overzealous politicians do not understand is that hatred leads to great bitterness, which ends up completely unproductive and especially when it is patronized by people who holding public trust as a shelf or by those who are looking forth at voters to give them their trust through votes. Hatred is gradually becoming a poor travelling companion Nkambe causing imbalance and unhappiness.

Genesis

Ahead of September 30, Municipal and Legislative elections, the CPDM bigwigs of Nkambe had planned to organize a Joint Section Conference at Wat Market Square. The only avenue they selected was the market shed constructed by Hon. Awudu Mbaya. When the information reached SDF militants they inquired from the Divisional Officer, the mayor and even the market-master whether they had given permission for market women to quit the shed. According to what we gathered, the answer was negative. Hon. Awudu Mbaya’s wife, Mary Awudu and some local SDF local party officials stormed the market arguing that the market shed is not a grandstand. When she removed the robes that were tied round, Chifu David Ngenge, intervened and it degenerated to him slapping her. Tempers are said to have flared after the incident. Upon arrival on the scene the 2^nd Assistant SDO for Donga Mantung Div. called on Musa Shey Nfor, aspiring CPDM councilor for Ngwanri village and Waka Emmanuel, CPDM aspiring councilor for Mbaah, who allegedly refused that they were not the ones who selected neither the avenue nor those who declared the rally to the administration. It is even alleged that no declaration was obtained from the administration. Manshang Nicholas immediately ordered the CPDM to quit the market shed given that they were disturbing public peace as well as the market. Ajento Baba, the market master for Wat told this reporter that the incident has disturbed him from collecting revenue. Mami Brigette Yaah from Mbanka said she brought 10 buckets of beans, but could only sell 2. Mariama Mbibu says she sold only 1 bucket out of 3 buckets she brought to the market.Mary Awudu said that she was annoyed because the market shed was constructed for women to sell beans and not to host political parties. It should be noted that it is thanks to that market shed that a beans market was created in Wat.  According to what we gathered, buyers who usually come from far off areas like Bamenda, Kumbo and Douala were scared. Talking to this reporter, Musa Shey Nfor said that the incident took place when he had left the market.  Many have been questioning the lesson that some of these politicians are passing to the youths as politics has been transformed into a sinkhole.Majority of the CPDM militants who spoke to this reporter condemned the act of slapping somebody's wife and a mother for that matter. However, Barr. Chifu Ngenge David is quoted to have told Radio Danbaturi that he was provoked by Mary Awudu who gave him the first slap and that for the past years he had received insults from her. Moreso, he also said that Mary Awudu once said that he (Chifu Ngenge David) was dismissed from the police because he was a bad element. 
It has also been confirmed that Ajento Baba, market master for Wat was taken to the Nkambe hospital in a pool of blood after he was allegedly attacked by some CPDM rascals. (we are still investigating into the matter).

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Land Grab: JB Ndeh Takes on El Hadj Baba Danpoullo

 Fai Cassian Ndi

The General Manager of the North West Development Authority commonly known by its French Acronym as MIDENO has decried attempts by El Hadj Baba Danpoullo (Ndawara) to grap land that owned by the defunct Santa Coffee Estate, which has been placed under the custody of MIDENO. Lamenting that the land has been earmarked for the production of seed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, JB Ndeh called on the Governor of the North West Region to take all necessary measures to make sure that no one trespasses on the said piece of land. He regretted that some administrators who have connived to sell out state lands. It is common that some individuals who think that they can do and undo have gone hell-wire to auction state properties to individuals load their pockets.  Brandishing a copy of a letter signed by the head of state instructing the administration of the North West Region to make sure that the said piece of land is given back to its rightful owner, MIDENO, JB Ndeh continued that state shouldn’t be allowed in the whims and caprices of some individuals because they are wealthy.  It was during the second quarter administrative and security coordination meeting at Fundong in Boyo Division that JB Ndeh vomited the venom on El Hadj Baba. It is even alleged that North West Governor on the spot ordered that the Senior Divisional Officer for Boyo to look into the acquisition of land in that Division.

Also on the firing line was the regional Coordinator of the National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development. The distribution of grants to volunteers in the region was questioned given that many had suspected foul play. The coordinator it is alleged was instructed to forward to the services of the Governor’s office a complete report on the distribution of grants in the region. More so, it is aired in some areas, beneficiaries received less than 200.000 FCFA while in other places the amount ranged from 250.000 FCFA to 500.000FCFA. Youths of Donga Mantung Division we gathered were also victimized. Sources say that while in other places youths were lodged and fed, in Donga Mantung Division, beneficiaries had only one meal per day and they had to lodge themselves. It is aired that the Regional Delegate pocketed all the money for lodging as well as part of the funds allocated for feeding. Besides, beneficiaries of PART J-U and PIFFMAS have never had access to funds allocated to them. With the closure of FIFFA Bank, the situation has become more complicated as seemingly the money ended in private pockets. It is alleged that CONAC is flying over the General Manager of the National Civic Programme and collaborators. 

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81 SCNC Activists Released

 By Cassimando

The 81 SCNC activists who were arrested and detained in Kumbo since July 27, 2013 have been released in Bamenda on August 3, 2013. It is alleged that the mixed contingent of police and gendarmes stormed a private resident where the 81 activists were holding a meeting. It is alleged that the 81 activists were latter transferred to Bamenda upon the request of the North West Attorney General. Taking advantage of the absence of the Attorney General the detainees upon arrival in Bamenda were ferried to the Regional delegation of Public Security.  Sources say also arrested was SCNC Chairman Nfor Ngala Nfor as well as a six month pregnant woman. The eldest among them is said to be about a 100 years old.

More so, it is alleged that 31 of the detainees were locked up in a cell of 41m by 41m square while four others were left on a corridor on bare cement floor. Besides, the house where they were arrested was also ransacked by the police and gendarmes. Classified sources hinted that Barrister Gabriel Chumbon filed a “mandamus” to the regional delegate for National Security which is an order from the court for the detainees to be released.  

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Fonkam Azu'u Suspends Elecam Council Head for Corrupt Practices

 FC Junior

Linda Nange, Elecam council head for Belo in Boyo Division of the Northwest Region has been suspended from her duties last Friday, August 9 for corrupt practices. Linda Nange we gathered has been transferred to Balikumat as a support staff after an investigation confirmed that she was involved in electoral malpractices. The decision to suspend Linda Nange falls barely a week after Dr. Fonkam Azu’u gave firm instruction to North West Regional Delegate to investigate into the scandal during the deposit of files by aspirants for the Legislative and Municipal elections. On August 7, Samuel Fonkam Azu'u received a bitter complain during a press conference in Bamenda decrying how Linda Nange negated UDP council list for Belo. George Fointama Akong Ngong representative of UDP (United Democratic Party) submitted the petition accusing Elecam council head of corruption. The local representative of the UDP, also candidate for the same party in the parliamentary constituency of Boyo, presented in his letter that corruption seem to have taken ELECAM Belo hostage.

 Fointama George is quoted to have revealed that they arrived at Elecam office in Belo at about 11:15 pm to submit their list for municipal elections. The council head he said verified and confirmed 41 files. The latter further requested 41 file-jackets but at that particular moment all the shops were closed. Thus says Fointama in this note, the council head requested that he should disburse a sum of 12,300 francs to buy the file-jackets. Fointama having no money got 5000 fcfa from Nyuoh Simon Yong head of the list which they paid as advance and to complete the rest the next morning. But the council head rejected the 5000 FCFA demanding that the total sum should be paid.

Hooked, Fointama and his party comrade contacted the National Chairman of the party, resident in Bamenda by phone who pleaded that he will pay the remaining the following morning. Fointama indicates that when he came back the following morning of July 18 at 9am, council head had treated the files in his absence. He discovered to his dismay that some of the files had disappeared. Tempers flared and thereafter, one is found. However, he was asked to sign the delivery receipt. He refuses to do so, suggesting that he had delivered 41 cases instead of 40.

 The Regional delegate was alerted on the spot about the obnoxious practices in ELECAM Belo.

A school of thought holds that some Elecam council heads have been held hostage by politicians who have placed them on huge salaries to protect their interest in various elecam offices nationwide. The case of Belo is just one in a million, observers say.

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Special Criminal Court: Olanguena Owono Slam 20 Years, 4 others Acquitted

 The Special Criminal Court has been slammed a 20-years jail term on former Minister of Public Health Urbain Olanguena Owono for complicity in a contract for the supply treated mosquito bed-nets worth 80 million FCFA. Acquitted were Dr. Chia Rose, Dr. Maurice Feuzeu, Dr. Hubert Wang and Dr. Okalla Abodo. The judgement was handed down on Monday August 12, 2013. The Special Tribunal found Urbain Olanguena Owono wanting for complicity in an un-executed public contract to supply treated mosquito bed nets to the Malaria Control Programme in 2004 by Vision Sarl Company. The court also slammed a life sentence for the Manager of Vision Sarl Company, Nsoe Mbella Yves Rodrigues, for fraudulently obtaining payment of the FCFA 80 million without supplying the mosquito bed nets, while the former stores accountant in Olanguena’s cabinet, Onana Belibi Timothé, received a 10-year jail term for facilitating the payment of the unexecuted contract. The accused were tried for embezzlement of various sums that summed up to FCFA 287 million meant for different programmes funded by government, the Global Fund and the World Bank to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis between 2002 and 2006 in Cameroon.
In same vein, the court held Onana Belibi whose signatures also appeared on the payment decisions, as guilty of complicity in the embezzlement punished by Sections 74 and 184 (1), amongst others, of the Penal Code.
On the other hand, the court held prosecution had not sufficiently proved that Dr. Feuzeu Maurice, former permanent secretary of the AIDS Control Programme had earned undue financial benefits and paid undue mission allowances amounting to FCFA 22 million. Meanwhile, Dr Okalla Abodo, ex-permanent secretary of the Malaria Control Programme sufficiently justified expenses worth FCFA 67 million and convinced the court that he took steps to establish that his signature had been forged in the mosquito bed nets contract scam. Dr Chia Rose of the South West AIDS Control Provincial Technical Group and Dr Hubert Wang of the Tuberculosis Control Programme were both acquitted for having justified expenses worth FCFA 158 million and FCFA 13 million, respectively during proceedings.
Source: CT

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