Communique: Position of Bamenda Archdiocese about CATUC Land

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

Archdiocese of Bamenda

P.O. Box 82, Bamenda; www.archdioceseofbamenda.org

COMMUNIQUE

ON THE POSITION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BAMENDA

ABOUT THE CATUC LAND

1.       In 2010 the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, in his capacity as Chancellor of the Catholic University of Cameroon, CATUC, Bamenda, made a formal request according to the usual traditional practice for a piece of land to HRH the Fon of Ndzah, a village in Bamenda III Sub-Division of Mezam Division, in the N.W.Region of Cameroon.

 2.       This request was considered and accepted and a piece of land indicated. Thereafter, the Archbishop followed all administrative procedures to officially acquire the piece of land. And when the news of the creation of a Catholic University reached the people and Mbororos of Ndzah they expressed joy, evidenced by a correspondence by  Boba Mamada and Sali Mamada on behalf of the Mbororo family of Mamada of  15 June 2010 copying the administration.  On 3 August 2010, the same trio addressed another Letter of Appreciation, to HRH the Fon Ndzah, copying all the interested parties, thanking the Fon “for bringing development nearer to us especially the Catholic University.”

 3.       The Archbishop later applied for a grant of a part of the national land which the Land Consultative Board had allocated through the administrative authorities of Bamenda III Sub Division and Mezam Division.  On 22 November 2011, the Bamenda III Land Consultative Board was set up by Prefectoral Order to demarcate this piece of land for the Catholic University. The competent authorities also did the evaluation of what was on the land which directly involved 14 people including two non-Mbororos. And this amounted to 23million five hundred and eighty four thousand two hundred and thirty six francs. The Mezam Divisional Authorities received this recommendation and after doing their own findings, they endorsed and forwarded the request to the Honourable Minister of State Property and Land Tenure. Based on the competencies of these administrative authorities, and by Arreté No. 000947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D13 of 2 Sept. 2011, the Honourable Minister of State Property and Land Tenure, His Excellency Beleoken Jean Baptiste, made a formal grant of this land to His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, pending a payment into the public treasury of a sum of 13 million francs cfa.

 4.       The Archbishop actually paid the sum of 13 million nine hundred and sixteen thousand nine hundred and forty francs on 22 June 2012; and the Revenue Collector for Lands Mezam, certified an attestation of this payment. On the 11 August 2012, the site plan for the resettlement of the Mbororos displaced from Ndzah Village was made available following a Sub Prefectoral Decision No. 1988 of 11 August 2012 and it clearly shows where each of the Mbororos displaced was to settle. On Monday 1 October 2012, the Archbishop paid the full amounts of compensation to 13 people who turned up for their money. Only one of them Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada did not collect his amount of 1.056.960frs cfa. Otherwise, the Archbishop of Bamenda paid, as requested, a total cash amount of 22million five hundred and twenty seven thousand, two hundred and seventy six francs cfa to those concerned. Their signatures, Identity Card numbers, and the corresponding amounts which each of them received are documented in the Archbishop's House, in the Court of First Instance Bamenda and can also be verified from the Letter of the D.O. Bamenda III.

 5.       By the end of 2012, no serious opposition about the land came from the Fon, the Traditional Council of Ndzah, the Mbororos in Ndzah and the Government of Cameroon. On the contrary everyone was excited that development was coming to Ndzah village.  It was not until 2013 that Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada, the same Ardo who, on behalf of the Mamada Family, had signed a letter of appreciation in 2010 to the Fon of Ndzah, now tended an objection to all that had been agreed before. His objections were however, handled by the Court of First Instance of Bamenda holden at Bamenda, on 31 July 2013. The judgement upheld all the previous arrangements with the Fon of Ndzah, the Traditional Council of Ndzah, the Mbororos of Ndzah, the Administrative authorities of Bamenda III Sub-Division,and Mezam Division  and the Honourable Minister of State Property and Land Tenure.

 6.       On 24 September 2013, the SDO for Mezam through a correspondence, instructed the D.O Bamenda III to ensure that they “quit the mission's land before December 31^st 2013.”  However, the Archbishop of Bamenda applied for authorization to begin work on the site, which was duly granted by the City Council. The Court of First Instance, Bamenda, also confirmed by a Certificate of Non-Appeal on 26 February 2014 certifying that there has been no appeal against the judgment of the court.  So, on 6 March 2014, the Archbishop of Bamenda notified the Ardo that work would soon begin on the plot acquired for CATUC in Ndzah. On Wednesday 19 March 2014 the Archdiocesan Director of the Office for Lands was on the way to the site to begin work accompanied by a camera man.

 7.       A certain Mr. Fon Christopher Achobang, who claims to be a “Human Rights Activist” emerged from the bush with a crowd of people, made up of Mbororos and some people said to be from Bambili village. They attacked the caterpillar and the archdiocesan vehicle and thereafter attacked also the Director of Lands, on instructions from Mr. Achobang to kill him. By Divine intervention he managed to escape for safety and ended up in a hospital. The vehicle he used was completely vandalized as well as the caterpillar and the driver. The said “human rights activist” has not only published false, damaging and misleading information on newspapers and social networks, he is also inciting the Mbororos to rise up against the Church threatening to invite Al Quaedaand Boko Haram to come to their assistance. On 4 April 2014, Friday night about 7.30pm, some 30 Mbororos (men, women and children) invaded the privacy of the Cathedral Parish until the intervention of the Administration.

 8.       It would be wrong to give the impression that the Mbororos of Ndzah have been treated unfairly. Some media houses have insinuated that the Archbishop was only granted 46 hectares and that the property of the Mbororos was outside this land. The facts on the ground contradict these claims. The Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Bamenda stands for justice, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. In fact we have very good relationships with all Christian denominations and religions. Therefore, the insinuations about Al Quaeda and Boko Haram are uncalled for. Cameroon is a State of Law, and no Cameroonian can imagine that he is above the law. We  therefore call on all Catholic Christians, all other Christians and all people of good will including the other Mbororo families who took their money and have settled somewhere else, to remain calm; to show more love towards our Mbororo brothers and sisters; and to continue to pray for peace in this our fatherland.

   

Done at Bamenda this day Wednesday 9 April 2014

  

Rev. Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy

Director of Communications

Archdiocese of Bamenda

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

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My country People, happy Sunday to all of you out there. Let God’s abundant blessings reach your homes and hearts, Amen.

The week ended with the Members of Parliament and the Senators packing their bags back home after spending a month in Ngola battling over their allowances but your Writtam-pen is aware that some MPs and Senators left Ngola very frustrated. Others have switched off their phones while others just disappeared into the quarters in Ngola drink their sorrows in beer. It is strange that while backbenchers are crying poverty, Members of the Bureau of the National Assembly and Senate are spoiled with allowances. Apart from the fact that Popoul took newsmakers again on the blue given that the Upper Ntang and Lower Ntang closed without the much talked about bill on the revision of the constitution to introduce the post of Vice President making it way into Parliament. I hear lobbyists who have chopped gombo from would-be Vice Presidents have also gone in communicado with their costumers. I told you that Popoul is a very smart fellow. A classified source hinted your Writtam-pen that Popoul left Belgium for Switzerland where he is allegedly working on a new government that will give sparrow hawk room to make some new catches. Your Writtam-pen spotted the Sparrow hawk is patiently waiting on one of the roofs at Nsimaleng Airport ready. About 119 victims are being monitored by the Special Criminal Court. I spotted frail looking Mbapes Bapes on TV. The man wants to buy his head by working himself to death. He spent the whole week with students in Mbalmayo. What a moral teacher to the youths, a sitting minister who was arrested, detained for 48 hours and released to resume function. It’s a pity. I think Popoul should do same to all those guys who have been suspected of having pocketed our gombo so that they can sit up. Popoul has finally discovered a panacea, a psyche-test of honesty.     

Do you know that Cameroon behaves like a jungle? In the jungle life is short, uncertain and the fruits thereof are uncertain given that everyone is suspicious of everyone. Many people including your Writtam-pen have been questioning whether it is not a government policy to allow things to go wrong? The abduction of three clergies in the Northern region of Cameroon by suspected Boko Haram militants and the confrontation between Nigerian herdsmen in Menchum Valley in that North West Region which led to the one Cameroonian being killed, villages set on fire, schools destroyed have proven that. What a jungle-like country with porous borders? Talking about life in the jungle, I hear the Ngola has launched a new touristic season. Oh my God, ndiba everywhere. Look at Avenue Kennedy new-look on this picture. Fantastic, isn’t it? Cars swimming in pool of water.

Your Writtam-pen has been hinted that even the newly appointed Director General of Chantier Naval has refused to take over office. The man I hear wants that the state should pump much gombo given that the coffers are empty. Poor Chantier Naval!! In fact only Bikoro can tell what happened to all the gombo that Forjindam left.

Do you know that Boko Haram is becoming an alternative to solving many problems in Camer here? The other day, a wajo in Misaje who was evicted from his grazing land reportedly threatened to seek protection from Boko Haram if the administration cannot protect him. Have you heard of the brouhaha between the church and the Bororo (wajos) of Banjah? I church and land, wajos and land na wa. Heads will roll on the land problem. Your Writtam-pen gathered that even the administration Mezam played a fast one on the church. I hear the Prime Minister’s office has given these guys few days to solve the pb if not. (Watchout for a special gossip on the land crisis)

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

UN Experts on Minorities and Indigenous Peoples Concerned about Destruction of Mbororo Pastoralist Community in Bamenda

GENEVA (10 April 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on minority issues, Rita Izsák, and on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, today called on the Government and the Catholic University in Bamenda, Cameroon, to urgently review the evictions and demolition of houses of a Mbororo pastoralist community. An estimated 300 people have reportedly been made homeless and evicted from their ancestral lands in the locality of Banjah, Bamenda. The location of the evictions is the scene of a long-term land dispute between the Mbororo community and the Catholic University. Mbororo pastoralist communities, who identify as indigenous minorities, account for some 12 per cent of Cameroon’s population and often face conflicts over access to and ownership of land and access to water. The University claims to have paid compensation to community members to acquire and build on the site. Community members claim to have been misled regarding payments and state that they would not voluntarily have agreed to quit their homes and land that they have occupied since 1904. “I urge the authorities and the Catholic University in Bamenda to review these actions and their impact on this community and immediately seek a settlement with them,” said Ms. Izsák, who visited the Mbororo community in Banjah during her 2013 official mission* to Cameroon. Mr. Anaya recalled furthermore that “indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly relocated from their lands or territories,” quoting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “No relocation shall take place without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement of fair and just compensation.” The human rights experts highlighted that “appropriate alternative accommodation must still be provided to community members who have been left homeless and extremely vulnerable, even if the evictions are found to be legally justified based on international standards and within a participatory, consensus building process involving the Mbororo people.” “Where possible,” the Special Rapporteurs stressed, “the Mbororo must be provided with the opportunity to return to their traditional lands.”

“We are saddened that a community whose survival depends on their lands and cattle is now deprived of access to their ancestral lands,” they said. “This also contravenes the UN Declaration on Minorities which requires the protection of existence of minorities, and their unique ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity within the territories in which they live.”
Three bulldozers, escorted by armed gendarmes reportedly arrived on 3 April 2014 to start demolishing the Mbororo homes. Community members have no alternative accommodation.
“I referred to this worrying case in my report on my visit to Cameroon presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014,” the Special Rapporteur on minority issues said. “I stand ready to continue consultations with all parties to identify possible solutions to avoid rendering this community even more vulnerable.”

(*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s mission report to the Human Rights Council: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session25/Pages/ListReports.aspx
The United Nations human rights experts are part of what it is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights Council that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are charged by the Human Rights Council to monitor, report and advise on human rights issues. Currently, there are 37 thematic mandates and 14 mandates related to countries and territories, with 72 mandate holders. In March 2014, three new mandates were added. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

Learn more:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Welcomepage.aspx
For more information log on to:
Minority issues: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Minorities/IExpert/Pages/IEminorityissuesIndex.aspx
Indigenous peoples: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page Cameroon: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/CMIndex.aspx
For further information and media inquiries, please contact Graham Fox (+41 22 917 9640 / gfox@ohchr.org) or Margarita Lema (+41 22 917 9248 / mlematome@ohchr.org) or write to minorityissues@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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Watch Navi Pillay’s Human Rights Day message: http://youtu.be/dhX-KbVbEQ0

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A Rejoinder to Communique of Archdiocese of Bamenda About the Catholic University Land in Ndzah

BARRISTER ROBERT NSO FON

MBUFONZAK Law Firm

P.O Box 673 Bamenda

North West region, Cameroon

Tel: 237 77 75 55 59

Email: robertnfon@yahoo.com

A REJOINDER TO THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BAMENDA ABOUT THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LAND IN NDZAH VILLAGE DATED 09/4/14.

I first had the opportunity to listen to portions of the communiqué of the Archdiocese of Bamenda on their position about the CATUC land of Ndzah village read over CRTV Bamenda at 5.30 am on the 11^th day of April 2014. I later in the day got a copy and read the entire communiqué of eight paragraphs dated the 9^th day of April 2014 and signed by Rev. Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy, the Director of Communications of the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

From the communiqué, I read that in 2010, Arch Bishop Cornelius Fomtem Esua in his capacity as the Chancellor of the Catholic University of Cameroon, CATUC, requested for land from the Fon of Ndzah village who accepted same and a piece of land indicated to him and all administrative procedures to officially acquire the land was respected, which resulted in Arrete No.000947/ k.6.1/MINDAF/D13 of 2^nd September 2011 wherein the then Minister of State Property and Land Tenure made a formal Grant to His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua of 46.38 hectares of land in Womse-Ndzah for the construction of the Catholic University. That the Arch Bishop paid the sum of 13,916,940 FCFA to the state Treasury and 13 Mbororos were later compensated to leave the land to a new resettlement site except Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada who did not collect his own amount of 1,056,960  FCFA.

That by the end of 2012, Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada objected to all that had been agreed on and on the 31^st day of July 2013 the Court of First Instance of Bamenda delivered a judgment wherein all the previous arrangements with the Fon of Ndzah, the Traditional Council of Ndzah, the Mbororos of Ndzah, the administrative authorities of Mezam and the Minister of State Property and Land Tenure were upheld. That on the 19^th day of March 2014, the Director of lands of the Archdiocese was on his way to the site to begin work accompanied by a camera man when a certain Fon Christopher Achobang and a crowd of Mbororos and Bambili people attacked the caterpillar, a vehicle of the Archdiocese as well as the Director of lands who ended up in hospital and on the 4^th of April 2014, Friday night at about 7,30 pm, some 30 Mbororos(men, women and children) invaded the privacy of the Cathedral Parish until the intervention of the Administration.  

The communiqué of the Archdiocese of Bamenda ends by saying that it would be wrong to give the impression that the Mbororos of Ndzah have been treated unfairly and that the Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Bamenda stands for justice, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

From my cultural background, it is very difficult to say that an elderly person is telling a lie, talk less of a Reverend Father and an Arch Bishop. I will however give a true picture of what happened as the lawyer of Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada and who has closely followed the events in Ndzah between the Bamenda Archdiocese and the Mbororos from 2010 till date. It is not ethically correct for me as a Lawyer to report on a case that is pending determination in court but I am forced in the circumstances to make certain clarifications without touching on the legal issues pending determination in court.

Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada is the traditional ruler of the Mbororo indigenous cattle herders of Ndzah village in Bamenda III Sub Division in the North West region of Cameroon. The Ardo’s residence is situate on what is popularly called the “Mamada Hills” in Ndzah village. The late father of Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada in the person of Ardo Mamada, settled on the Mamada Hills around 1905 during the German Administration of Cameroon and he provided land to the people of Ndzah to settle where they are presently and he was buried in the Mamada hills in Ndzah village where the present Ardo lives. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada is recognized as such by the administration of Mezam Division.

Sometimes in 2012, the Arch Bishop of Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua, went to Ndzah village and laid claim over all of the Mamada Hills, and said to belongs to the Catholic University of Bamenda. When Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada tried to question the Arch Bishop’s claim over their ancestral land, he was arrested by elements of the Gendarmerie Brigade Researche in Mile 4 in Nkwen, severely tortured and detained. He lost a tooth and has permanent sight problems as a result of the torture inflicted on him during and after his arrest. He was later charged to court in the Court of First Instance of Bamenda in suit N^o CFIBA/798C/12 following a complaint from the Archdiocese of Bamenda. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was accused of having on or about the 3^rd day of September 2012 at Ndzah village in the Mezam Judicial Division, without being so empowered, used land belonging to the Catholic University of Bamenda and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 8(4) (5) of Ordinance N^o 74/1 of 6^th July 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure in Cameroon. The charge against Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was thrown out of court after about ten adjournments because the prosecution witnesses will not come to court to prosecute the matter.

Meanwhile Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada being so embarrassed and frustrated with the treatment he received from the Arch Bishop, and who could not understand how he could be charged to court for using land his family has occupied since 1905 and all of a sudden is said to belong to the Catholic University, instituted suit N^o CFIBA/15CM/2013 in the Court of First Instance of Bamenda against the Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda and the Catholic University of Bamenda. In the said suit, Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada prayed the court for an eviction order, evicting the Catholic Archdioceses of Bamenda from their ancestral land.

In reply to the suit referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Arch Bishop of Bamenda through his Lawyer filed a Counter Affidavit on the 27/02/2013 wherein they attached Arrete N^o 000947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13 dated the 2^nd day of September 2011 as Annex “A”, where the Honorable Minister of State Property and Land Tenure made a Grant of 46 hectares, 38 acres and 98m of land in Ndzah to the Catholic University of Bamenda, represented by Arch Bishop Cornelius Fontem Esua to justify their claim over the land. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada saw the Arrete for the first time in court in February 2013.

It is worthwhile to explain here what is a national land and which land can be allocated as a Grant to anybody or an institution in Cameroon. Ordinance N^o 74-1 of 6^th July 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure in Cameroon defines national lands in its article 14. Article 14(1) provides that national lands shall as of right comprise lands which at the date on which the present ordinance enters into force, are not classed into the public or private property of the state and other public bodies. Article 15 goes further to state that national lands shall be divided into two categories;

Lands occupied with houses, farms and plantations and grazing lands manifesting human presence and development;

Lands free of any effective occupation.

Decree N^o 76 – 166 of 27 April 1976 to establish the terms and conditions of management of National lands in Cameroon makes provision on how a piece of land can be allocated to an individual or corporate body as a Grant. Article 1 of the above Decree provides that, national lands which are unoccupied or unexploited shall be allocated by temporary grant of right. Article 2 of the same Decree provides that temporary rights shall be granted for development projects in line with the economic, social or cultural policies of the nation. Article 3 stipulates that the duration of the temporary grant may not exceed 5 years, and in exceptional cases, it may be extended on reasoned application by the grantee.

From the above provision of the laws, a temporary grant in Cameroon can only be made over unoccupied or unexploited national land. How the Arch Bishop of Bamenda succeeded to cause the Minister of State Property Surveys and Land Tenure to issue a Temporary grant to him over occupied and exploited land in Ndzah village only God alone knows. When the Arch Bishop says that the administration of Mezam has made provision for a resettlement site to the Mbororos of Ndzah and that he made financial compensated to 13 of them, that only goes to justify the fact that the land allocated to the Catholic University in Ndzah village is occupied and exploited land.

On the other hand, on the 31^st day of July 2013, the Court of First Instance of Bamenda delivered its ruling in suit N^o CFIBA/15CM/2013 instituted by Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada to evict the Arch Bishop and Catholic University from their land. While dismissing Ardo Adamu’s application, the presiding Magistrate advised as follows;

“This court’s advice to the applicant is simple; having found that the land in question falls within the definition of occupied and exploited national land, he should seize the competent Minister of state property and land tenure that made the grant or the competent administrative court”.

Meanwhile when Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was served with a copy of the counter affidavit in suit N^o CFIBA/15CM/2013 and he saw Arrete N^o 00947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13 dated the 2^nd day of September 2011 for the first time, his lawyer whom I am immediately challenged same with a petition addressed to the Minister of state property, surveys and land tenure in Yaounde. After three months, the Minister did not reply to the petition and as required by law, the Minister’s non reaction was considered as rejection and Ardo Adamu instituted the matter in the Administrative court of the North West Region in Bamenda in suit N^o NWAC/R/CF/004/2013. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada also filed an application for a stay of execution of the Minister’s Arrete pending the determination of his suit challenging the legality of the said Arrete.

On the 7^th day of March 2014, the Arch Bishop of Bamenda served Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada and other Mbororo family heads of Ndzah village with a 2^nd “Quit Notice”, requesting them to quit their lands on or before the 14^th day of March 2014 as any date thereafter, a caterpillar will destroy their houses and farms without further compensation. In the same vein, the Divisional Officer of Bamenda III Sub Division, served a letter on the Ardo and his subjects captioned “Occupation of your respective parcels on the resettlement site at Ndzah”. In his letter, the Divisional officer requested the Mbororo family heads of Ndzah village to immediately move to a new resettlement site as the ancestral lands they presently occupy had been allocated to the Archdiocese of Bamenda as a Temporary Grant. I immediately replied to the “Quit Notice” of the Arch Bishop and the letter of the Divisional Officer of Bamenda III, by reminding them that the legality of the Minister’s Arrete is pending determination in the Administrative court of the North West Region in Bamenda in suit N^o NWAC/R/CF/004/2013. I even attached a Certificate of filing of the suit in the Administrative court, signed by the Registrar-in-Chief of the court, attesting to the fact that Ardo  Adamu Bi Mamada has instituted suit N^o NWAC/R/CF/004/2013 challenging Arrete N^o 00947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13 dated the 2^nd day of September 2011.

On the 19^th day of March 2014, the Arch Bishop of Bamenda sent a caterpillar to Ndzah village to destroy the houses of the Mbororo herders. I called the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam by phone to find out whether his administration had sent a caterpillar to Ndzah to destroy the houses of the Mbororos and he insisted that he had given firm instructions to his subordinates not to interfere with the lands of the Mbororos in Ndzah untill the matter is resolved by the Administrative court of the North West region and the administration was not aware of any caterpillar going to the Mamada Hills in Ndzah.

The Mbororo herders of Ndzah came out like one person and successfully prevented the caterpillar from destroying their houses. It resulted in a squabble wherein the Arch Bishop’s representative and Director of lands in the archdiocese was seriously injured and the windscreen of a Toyota Hilux vehicle of the Archdiocese of Bamenda was shattered. Fon Christopher Achobang who sympathizes with the plight of the Mbororos of Ndzah had an injury on the head said to be inflicted by the Arch Bishop’s representative. One Abdu Karimu took elements of the 2^nd Police District in Nkwen to the site to calm down the situation. Ironically, he was arrested the following day with one Mallam Yunusa on the strength of a Warrant of arrest and detained at the Judicial police for eight days and charged for having attempted to kill Mr Cosmas Njoban, the Arch Bishop’s representative and Director of lands.

On Thursday the 3^rd day of April 2014, the Arch Bishop of Bamenda accompanied by about 30 seriously armed Gendarmes went to Ndzah village with a caterpillar and supervised the destruction of the houses of the Mbororos in the Mamada hills. The houses were completely destroyed on the 4^th of April with Rev. Father Bibi supervising and Gendarmes guarding. I personally went to the site during the demolition exercise in the period of lent and took pictures of the destruction with women and children crying and a reverend father giving instructions as to the next house to be destroyed. The Mbororos of Ndzah from the 4^th of April 2014 were rendered completely homeless by the Arch Bishop of Bamenda and at about 7,30 pm, those who had no family relations to go to, went to the Big Mankon Cathedral for shelter. When the Arch Bishop was informed, he called the Gendarmerie officers who guarded the caterpillar during the destruction exercise within the day who immediately went to the cathedral and tortured the Mbororos and sent them out of the cathedral compound. The Mbororos with little children started sleeping by the get into the cathedral while Gendarmes were inside preventing them from entering.

(We have been displaced by the Church) placard says

On the 7^th day of April 2014, the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam convened an emergency crisis meeting in his office with all stake holders in attendance and the agenda was to look for an immediate solution to the land dispute between the Mbororo community of Ndzah and the Archdiocese of Bamenda. The S.D.O later the same day set up a commission to move to the site and come out with the limits of 46.38 hectares of land allocated to the Arch Bishop as it was alleged that the Arch Bishop was occupying more than the land allocated to him . The commission moved to the site the following day and I was present when the Arch Bishop’s representative when requested by the commission, presented their site plan which shockingly to me, shows that the surface area of their land is 64 hectares and not 46 hectares. The commission however came out with the limits of the 46 hectares allocated to the Catholic University through the Arch Bishop and the Mbororos left the gate of the Big Mankon cathedral and occupied the remaining lands in the Mamada hills. The Ardo’s compound just like many other compounds destroyed are presently out of the 46 hectares occupied by the Arch Bishop.

I sincerely thank the S.D.O of Mezam for resolving this matter as a seasoned administrator. 10 family heads of the Mbororos of Ndzah had their compounds destroyed within the 46 hectares allocated to the Catholic University. 7 family heads including the Ardo had their compounds destroyed out of the 46 hectares allocated to the university. The Mbororos of Ndzah are presently struggling to build hurts in the Mamada hills to replace their destroyed houses pending the coming of the next dry season when sundry blocks can be made to build permanent houses. They have refused to go to the resettlement site which is a conflict zone between the Bambili and Ndzah villages.

My appeal is for the loving population of the North West region especially the Roman Catholic Christians whom I know are God fearing, to make free will financial contributions to the Mbororos of Ndzah through my office so that by November 2014, we can collective assist them with zinc to reconstruct their houses in the Mamada hills in Ndzah village.

It is for the population to judge whether the Archdiocese of Bamenda meant what they wrote in their communiqué that it would be wrong to give the impression that the Mbororos of Ndzah have been treated unfairly and that the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Bamenda stands for justice, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

Done in Bamenda this 12^th day of April 2014.

Barrister Robert NSO FON

Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada’s Lawyer,

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

World Cup 2014: Brazil Offers Free Entry Visa to Cameroonians

Supporters of Indomitable Lions

Supporters of Cameroon soccer team, Indomitable Lions who want to go to Brazil to will only have to acquire an air ticket to get free entry visa to Brazil. The information was made public recently by the Brazilian Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Nei Futuro Betencourt, who also added that there will be no restrictions on the procurement of visas. The Brazilian diplomat said in effect that visas for Cameroonian fans will not only be free but will be given "priority". The free visas to the supporters of the Indomitable Lions have a validity of 90 days and renewable once for another 90 days. The head of the Brazilian diplomacy Cameroon nevertheless regretted the fact that Cameroonians are not buying entrance tickets to the various stadiums for different matches.

On preparations for the World Cup, the diplomat said: “Brazil is ready. We will organize the best World Cup”. He however revealed that at this moment “we now have three stages that are not yet completed. Of these three stages, there are two who have no problem,” he concluded. Football supporters received the information with delight and many have been congratulating the Brazilian government for the favourable decision

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Demolition of homes and evictions of Banjah: How the Land Grab happened (Opinion)

By Sarli Sardou Nana

April 6, 2014

Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada is the traditional ruler of the Mbororo indigenous minority cattle herders of Ndzah village in Bamenda III Sub Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. The Ardo’s residence was situated on what is popularly called the “Mamada Hills” in Ndzah  (also known as Banjah) just outside Bamenda. 

Irate Mbororos besiege Catholic University entrance

The late father of Ardo Adamu in the person of Ardo Mamada Bi Sodhari settled on the Mamada Hills around 1904 during the German colonial rule. He was appointed Ardo at the same time with Ardo Sabga Bi Hoba who founded Sabga. He was one of the first Mbororo herders to arrive the North West Region and he was a very popular traditional ruler especially as he had many cattle. It was because of his popularity that where he settled was named “Mamada Hills” (also known as Banjah) named after Ardo Mamada Bi Sodari. 

The present farming community of Ndzah (Banjah) arrived in the area in 1933 from Baforchu and settled in the area. This is 29 years after the Mbororo settled there. They fully supported the Catholic Church and the Government to evict the Mbororo.

Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada succeeded his late father Ardo Mamada Bi Sodhari in 1964 at the age of 15 as the traditional ruler of the Mbororo indigenous herders of Ndzah village. He was subsequently recognized as such by the administration of Mezam Division. At the time of eviction, 108 Mbororo herders live on the Mamada Hills with their wives and children as well as over 1200 cattle, 300 sheep and 150 horses.

Sometimes in 2012, the Archbishop of Bamenda, Cornelius Fontem Esua took unknown people to Mamada Hills and laid claim over all of the Mamada Hills said to belong to the Catholic University of Bamenda. When Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada tried to challenge the Archbishop’s claim over their ancestral land, he was arrested by elements of the Gendarmerie Brigade Research Unit in Mile 4 Nkwen, Bamenda, severely tortured and detained. He lost sight on one of his eyes, lost one tooth and has permanent sight problems as a result of the torture inflicted on him during and after his arrest. He was eventually charged to court in the Court of First Instance of Bamenda in suit No CFIBA/798C/12. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was accused of having on or about the 3rd day of September 2012, at Ndzah village in the Mezam Judicial Division, without being so empowered, used land belonging to the Catholic University of Bamenda and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 8(4) (5) of Ordinance No 74/1 of 6th July 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure in Cameroon.

On 31 December 2012, one other close adviser to the Ardo, Mallam GEBO was arrested, tortured and detained and was only released after payment of FCFA 30,000. He suffered 21 days Temporal Incapacity as a result of torture.

Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada being so embarrassed, confounded and frustrated with the treatment he received from the Archbishop, and could not understand how he could be charged to court for using land his family has occupied since 1904 and all of a sudden said to belong to the Catholic University, instituted suit No. CFIBA/15CM/2013 in the Court of First Instance of Bamenda against the Catholic Arch Diocese of Bamenda and the Catholic University of Bamenda. In the said suit, Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada prayed the court for an eviction order, evicting the Catholic Arch Dioceses of Bamenda from their ancestral land.

In reply to the suit referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Archbishop of Bamenda through his Counsel filed a Counter Affidavit on the 27/02/2013 wherein they attached Arrêté No. 000947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13 dated the 2nd day of September 2011 as Annex “A”, where the Honourable Minister of State Property and Land Tenure made a Grant of 46 hectares, 38 acres and 98m of land in Ndzah to the Catholic University of Bamenda, represented by Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua.

Despite the fact that the above Arrêté allocated 46 hectares of land in the Mamada Hills as a Grant to the Catholic University of Bamenda, the actual piece of land presently claimed by the Archbishop is about 300 hectares. The Land Tenure laws in Cameroon provides that the Minister in charge of lands can allocate a Grant only where the piece of land is below 50 hectares. A Grant above 50 hectares of land can only be made by the President of the Republic. It was for this reason that the Archbishop of Bamenda applied for 46 hectares of land which the Minister approved despite the fact that about 300 hectares of land is being claimed.

Ordinance No 74-1 of 6th July 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure in Cameroon defines national lands in its article 14. Article 14(1) provides that national lands shall as of right comprise lands which at the date on which the present ordinance enters into force, are not classed as public or private property of the state and other public bodies. Article 15 goes further to state that national lands shall be divided into two categories.

1. Lands occupied with houses, farms and plantations and grazing lands manifesting human presence and development;

2. Lands free of any effective occupation.

Decree No 76 – 166 of 27 April 1976 to establish the terms and conditions of management of National Lands in Cameroon makes provision on how a piece of land can be allocated to an individual or corporate body as a Grant. Article 1 of the above Decree provides that national lands which are unoccupied or unexploited shall be allocated by Temporary Grant of Right. Article 2 of the same Decree provides that temporary rights shall be granted for development projects in line with the economic, social or cultural policies of the state. Article 3 stipulates that the duration of the temporary grant may not exceed 5 years, and in exceptional cases, it may be extended on reasoned application by the grantee. From the above provision of the laws, a Temporary Grant in Cameroon can only be made over unoccupied or unexploited national land. 

In paragraphs 7 and 8 of the counter affidavit filed by the lawyer of the Archbishop and Catholic University of Bamenda, it is stated that the crops and houses on the land given by the state to the Catholic University as a grant were properly evaluated by the competent administrative services and all those affected had been paid financial compensation except Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada who refused to take 'compensation'. Annexes “C” and D to D1 were attached to the Counter Affidavit to justify that fact. That only buttresses the fact that the land allocated to the Catholic University as grant by the state is occupied and exploited national land. How then could the Archbishop and the competent administrative services of Mezam in violation of the law prepare the file of the Catholic University and misled the Minister in charge of lands to sign Arrêté No. 000947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13 on the 2nd day of September 2011 allocating 46 hectares of the Mamada Hills as a grant to the Catholic University?

While the court cases were going on, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Nguelle Nguelle Felix in May 2013 led a bulldozer to Bambilj and demolished 13 house belonging to Bambili villagers who have land titles on their lands to create a resettlement site for the 300 Mbororo and their animals. Bambili people has made it clear that anyone who comes to their land will be killed. Even if they went to the land there is no building, no facilities.  So this is not secure, safe, and appropriate or enough land to resettle a community.

Meanwhile the prosecution witnesses in suit No. CFIBA/798C/12 wherein Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was charged for using land belonging to the Catholic University never attended any court session and after more than 10 adjournments, the matter was dismissed for want of diligent prosecution. On the other hand, on the 31st day of July 2013, the Court of First Instance of Bamenda delivered its ruling in suit No CFIBA/15CM/2013 instituted by Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada to evict the Archbishop and Catholic University from their land. While dismissing Ardo Adamu’s application, the presiding Magistrate, after a locus (court session on Mamada Hills), advised as follows.

“This court’s advice to the applicant is simple; having found that the land in question falls within the definition of occupied and exploited national land, he should seize the competent Minister of State Property and Land Tenure that made the grant or the competent Administrative Court”.

When Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada was served with a copy of the counter affidavit in suit No. CFIBA/15CM/2013 and he saw Arrêté No. 00947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13, his lawyer immediately challenged same with a petition to the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure in Yaounde. After three months, the Minister did not reply to the Petition and as required by law, the Minister’s non reaction was considered as rejection and Ardo Adamu instituted the matter in the Administrative Court of the North West Region in Bamenda in suit No NWAC/R/CF/004/2013. Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada also filed an application for stay of execution of the Minister’s Arrêté pending the determination of his suit challenging the legality of the said Arrêté. By filing the application for stay of execution in the Administrative Court, the Archbishop is legally estopped from enforcing the Minister’s Arrêté.

Contrary to the above legal provision, the Archbishop of Bamenda Cornelius Fontem Esua on the 7th of March 2014 served Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada and other Mbororo family heads of Ndzah village with a 2nd “Quit Notice”, requesting them to quit their lands on or before the 14th of March 2014 as any date thereafter, a caterpillar will destroy their houses and farms without further compensation. In the same vain, the Divisional Officer of Bamenda III Sub Division Ayuk Walters Tarkang served a letter on the Ardo and his subjects captioned “Occupation of your respective parcels on the resettlement site at Ndzah”. In his letter, the Divisional officer requested the Mbororo family heads of Ndzah village to immediately move to new resettlement site as their ancestral lands they presently occupy have been allocated to the Arch diocese of Bamenda as a temporary grant. 

Ardo Adamu’s lawyer replied to the Quit Notice of the Archbishop and the letter of the Divisional Officer of Bamenda III by reminding them that the legality of the Minister’s Arrêté is pending determination in the Administrative Court of the North West Region in Bamenda in suit No NWAC/R/CF/004/2013. He even attached a Certificate of filing the suit in the Administrative court signed by the Registrar-in-Chief of the court attesting to the fact that Ardo Adamu Bi Mamada has instituted suit No. NWAC/R/CF/004/2013 challenging Arrêté No. 00947/K.6.1/MINDAF/D1/D13.

On the 19th March 2014, the Archbishop of Bamenda sent a caterpillar to Ndzah village to destroy the houses of the Mbororo herders. Ardo Adamu’s lawyer called the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam Nguelle Nguelle Felix by phone to find out whether his administration had sent a caterpillar to Ndzah to destroy the houses of the Mbororo and he insisted that he had given firm instructions to his subordinates not to interfere with the lands of the Mbororo in Ndzah till the matter is resolved by the Administrative Court of the North West Region and the administration was not aware of any caterpillar going to the Mamada Hills in Ndzah.

The Mbororo herders of Ndzah came out like one person and prevented the caterpillar from destroying their houses. It resulted in a squabble wherein the Archbishop’s representative Jobain Cosmas was seriously injured and the windscreen of a Toyota Hilux vehicle of the Arch Diocese of Bamenda was shattered. Fon Christopher Achobang who is a sympathizer of the plight of the Mbororo of Ndzah had an injury on the head. Abdulkarimu Shehu who is the organizer of the Mbororo of Ndzah took elements of the 4th Police District to the site after the incident was all over.

After this incident community reps met with Prime Minister Philemon Yang on March 22, 2014. They submitted a petition (which was not the first time). He assured them to stop any further activity on the land until the Administrative Court makes a decision. He obviously did not or his subordinates decided to ignore his instructions.

Representatives met the Minister Lands and all relevant government officials including North-West Regional Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique. All of them agreed that no action can be taken until the Administrative Court takes a decision. Yet is these very officials who authorized and enforced the demolitions and eviction.

The indigenous Mbororo herders of Ndzah have for ones seriously defended their ancestral land from Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua. If Cameroon is a state of law and if one were to consider those to be law abiding, it will obviously be the Archbishop and the clergy. We are witnessing the contrary where the Archbishop is violating the laws of the state with impurity in an attempt to illegally deprive the Mbororo minority indigenous herders of Ndzah village of their ancestral land. The Archbishop is obviously receiving the support of the local and wider government of Cameroon especially as the former Divisional Delegate of Lands in Mezam reminded the Ardo that the President of the Republic of Cameroon is a staunch Catholic and will always protect the interest of the Catholics.

On the 20th day of March 2013, Abdulkarim Shehu was arrested by elements of the Judicial Police in Bamenda on the strength of a warrant signed by the State Counsel of Mezam Division. He signed four warrants with two in the names of Abdulkarim Shehu and Fon Christopher Achobang respectively with two having no names and the policemen are at liberty to fill the names of any Mbororo from Ndzah they deem necessary to arrest.  Mallam Yunusa another community organiser was arrested on to join Abdulkarim. Both were released after 8 days in detention. Fon Christopher Achobang went into hiding and is yet to be arrested.

On 3rd April 2014, the Catholic Church backed by 50 gendarmes and North-West Administration hired 3 bulldozers that demolished all homes belonging the Mbororo of Mamada Hills. A Court Injunction served to the gendarmes by Court Bailiffs was ignored. They were supported by the Fon (Chief), Nkwenti Ndaka, Chairman of Ndzah Traditional Council. The community is how homeless and destitute in violation of the law. 

No consideration was given to children, elderly and the sick in this process. Children's school needs were ignored. Their emotional or welfare needs did not matter to the government or the Catholic Church.

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church in Bamenda ignored the plight of the Mbororo of Banjah despite several meetings with its head Laura Anyola Tufon and is also a member of Cameroon’s National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms. She has received an Award from the US Government for her work on Child Trafficking. She works on conflict resolution in the North-West Region but for for 5 years since this conflict started inside Bamenda she has not raised a finger.

On Saturday 5th April 2014, the destitute Mbororo of Banjah marched peacefully to the Bamenda Cathedral, the residence of Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua where they are organizing an indefinite sit-in. The Catholic authorities called in gendarmes to remove the protesters. Gendarmes removed them from the premises of the Catholic Church but they continued their protest on the road side entrance to the Big Mankon Catholic Cathedral.

This case demonstrates that Mbororo people in Cameroon do not have or enjoy any land rights. This is a case where the present land laws were violated with impunity. Court orders and ongoing process were ignored. All the key government officials were on the side of the Catholic Church. A part of the Catholic Church which is a state (The Vatican) operating within and in connivance with another state have dispossessed people of their rights and made them destitute. It shows human rights campaigners are selective about whose rights they defend and the future looks to me very bleak.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Tension Mounts in Menchum as Clash Between Nigerian Grazers and Farmers Go Deadly, One Killed, Several Wounded

An atmosphere of uncertainty now looms in Baworo a border village in Mechum Valley in the North West Region of Cameroon following a bloody confrontation between villagers and Nigerian grazers  According to information gathered some herdsmen suspected to be of Nigerian origin have attacked and killed a farmer. Sources say the grazers had sophisticated weapons that the farmers could not withstand during the bloody confrontation. The bloody confrontation which involved some four villages around Baworo classified sources linked the Benakuma council has also left many villagers sustaining serious injuries. The Mayor of benakuma, Num Elias is quoted to have said that those wounded in the clashes are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital in Baworo. Allegedly, the SDO for Menchum, DO for Menchum Valley and the commander of the sixth military Batallon Bamenda are on the field to evaluate the damages. 

It should be recalled that some months ago, the Mayor of Benakuma Council decried that Nigerian grazers had invaded his municipality and he also alerted that they have been looting farms as well as raping women. Over 5000 cattle were reported to have invaded the wetlands in that municipality. It is feared that this incident could lead to the invasion of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram. A confidential source the bloody confrontation  has caused hundreds of villagers to flee their homes. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Catholic Priest, 20 Others Napped in Child Trafficking

Rev Okono Joseph of St Peter’s Parish of Owerri Catholic Diocese in Imo State, was arrested with 20 others for buying two boys (three and four years) at N900,000.The children he sold ranged from N450,000 to N750,000 depending on the sex of the child. A male child attracted higher prices.The Rev said he was involved in only two deals which fetched him only N46,000 interestDuke said the leader of the syndicate, Onyekedru, could not remember the number of children he has sold.He usually operates in conjunction with agents, who liaise with government officials in children homes and maternity hospitals. Over 20 children were rescued.Duke said most of the children stolen were sold through Uchenna, who had in his earlier statement, allegedly admitted to losing count of the number of children he had facilitated their theft and sales, however said he was ashamed of the business since it has brought him disgrace and shame. He said he was lured into the business by women who had no children of their own.Two other suspects,Mercy and boyfriend Collins said they started the baby sales business in November last year, and since then they have kidnapped and sold more than ten babies. Mercy however said she was only involved in five which she was paid N100,000 each.The parents of two children recovered were full of joy.R-News:
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Bamenda I Council Administrative Accounts Session Begins and Ends in Confusion

Fai Cassian Ndi

Confusion, they say is a seed when planted grows very fast to maturity. Seemingly the seed of confusion planted by councilors of the Bamenda I Sub Divisional council has grown and yielded fruits that inhabitants of this municipality will start enjoying. The 2013 administrative accounts session of the Bamenda I Council which was held on April 8, 2014 left nothing to be desired but confirmed the fact that the 31 councilors are a bunch of confused individuals blinded by their egocentric tendencies who would see nothing good in anything except in the form of bread.  During the budgetary session that took place last year, these councilors behaved like nursery school children. Many thought it was because they were just voted into the council and they knew nothing about the council system. However, the confusion has grown to full scale that it has contaminated the technicians of the council including the municipal treasure and the Secretary General.

Matters arising

Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF chairman once said that when a thief steals any of his belongings, he (Fru Ndi) doesn’t go chasing the thief. “What I do is that I usually fold my arms to observe how the thief will use it”, he emphasized. After the last September 30, municipal/legislative elections, the SDF folded hands and has been observing how the CPDM is going to use the Bamenda I Council even though the win was contested and acknowledged obnoxious. The choice of the mayor was not only a problem but generated into division. Cracks were created and everyone suddenly became an invisible to everyone. Confusion took advantage and flourished. What transpired during the April 8, 2014 administrative accounts session was indicative of the confusion that is deep rooted in the Bamenda I Sub Divisional Council under the leadership of Caroline Bih Bongwa. The question as to whether the people of Bamenda I council will regret the choice of their mayor abound high. Her 100 days at the helm of the Bamenda I council would have been flattering yet hampered by the confusion that was sown at the early stage of her being there. At close to six months the achievements of the council are moribund ranging from the setting up and equipping of the civil status registry office, the creating of a website, email address, mini agrpastoral show and grading of some axes of earth road, the mayor has nothing concrete to show after 100 days. As observed by the representative of the SDO (1^st Assistant SDO for Mezam) revenue collection has dropped by over 12.9%. A total sum of 170.358.811 FCFA was collected in 2013 as compared to 195.770.240FCFA for 2012 registering a deficit of 25.411.403 FCFA which clearly indicates that the Bamenda II council would depend solely on external funding if care is not taken, the SDO warned.  

The most intriguing was the presentation of the administrative accounts and the deliberations by the technicians of the council. “Is mathematic or accounting disturbing you?”, the 1^st Assistant SDO questioned the Municipal treasurer as tempers flared over disturbing figures. The unexpected happened when the same councilors rejected the report of the finance committee. At the beginning, confusion settled in when one of the councilors whose name I have just forgotten raised a motion that the Secretary General of the Council should adopt the minutes. Everything happened in a mad rush yet came to a standstill when the SDO discovered that copies of the deliberations were not shared to councilors. It took more than two hours for the five page document to be made available. It was at this juncture that the representative of the SDO threatened for the fourth time to suspend the session. Even the deliberation to contract a loan from FEICOM to construct 20 classrooms was resisted and almost ended up not endorsed. From all indications, development will have to suffer with all the confusion. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Ayaba Hotel Workers Applaud Own Director General, Doume Zacharie

By FC Ndi

Doume Zacharie in traditional outfit flanked by Special Invitees 

It was during the presentation of New Year wishes to the management of the Hotel that took place in the conference hall of Ayaba Hotel on Saturday April 5, 2014. Speaking during that fabulous occasion, the staff Representative thanked the Director General, Doume Zacharie for the rehabilitation work carried out in the establishment in 2013. In a mode of fanfare and ecstasy, Ayaba Hotel workers promised that they are looking towards attaining the five basic determinants of quality costumer service.  “The complete transformation of the hotel has given it a facelift and impetus to remain top in a market where competition is stiff and unfair”, he added. Harping on the numerous changes that have moved Ayaba Hotel from the doldrums to attain the five determinant qualities of costumer service, the staff Representative cited amongst others the complete overhauling of the housing department which include, rehabilitation of the suites, rehabilitation and transformation of room 601 into a semi-suite, the painting to changing of bed sheets in all the rooms, the installation of electronic locks, flat TV screens in all rooms, lobby, bar and restaurant. “All these have created comfort to our guests who now see our hotel as a real home away from home”, he continued. The staff Representative also applauded the management of Ayaba headed by Doume Zacharie for transforming the catering the department into a veritable modern service. He expressed a lot of satisfaction that management procured cutleries, oven pots and cookers. “The acquisition of a grill for open air roasting has added splendor to our catering service” as well as “setting up of a hotel canteen for staff”. Besides, he also congratulated management for instilling sustainable actions in hotel management such as the setting up of a poultry and piggery farm at the outer court of the hotel. “This recycling project earmarked to provide the hotel with sizeable quality chicken and pork has gone a long way to cut down the exorbitant food cost and handling cost the hotel had suffered over the years”.  On the innovation work already carried out in the catering service, the staff Representative noted with satisfaction that the acquisition of

Director General in traditional outfit flanked by staff

cutleries, oven pots, cookers, a grill for open door roasting and the setting up of a canteen for staff has added splendor to their job. He said Ayaba hotel the planting of environment friendly trees around the court and the construction of a pavement along the piscine has added placed them on top as the main tourist home in the North West Region of Cameroon. He revealed that the entire staff is delighted for “the recruitment of twenty temporal workers, some of whom have suffocated for over six years under a heavy appellation of “Extras”. These workers he observed are not only celebrating their recruitment but also increments in their pay packages. “Besides these temporal staff, 18 permanent staff also celebrated their advancement following the new collective convention of hotels, bars and restaurants, some of whom were never advanced since 2003. Once more we say Thank You”, he rejoiced.  

The staff Representative speaking on behalf of the staff also reminded the Director General how in March 2011, before he was appointed, Ayaba hotel suffered an industrial strike action. “There was chaos and the services were at the brink of collapsing. After everyone had left the guest stranded and disgruntled, some 21 of us reached out to them against the wish of the majority”. According to the staff representative, the Minister of Tourism by then asked them to forfeit part of their salary for the establishment to survive yet today 18 of them are kindly imploring the Director General and his team to revisit the sacrifice they made. He also called on the management to see into the huge tax arrears since 1990 which Ayaba Hotel owes taxation and the social insurance which hinders them to get social benefits.

Food, Food for all to Celebrate and Commune with Management

In reaction to the speech by the workers Representative, the Director General of Ayaba Hotel, Doume Zacharie assured the hotel staff that problems raised will be channeled to the appropriate quarters. “I listened with a lot of attention your worries and they were touching right into my heart. I even thought that what I was doing here was not seen”.  Doume Zacharie likened Ayaba hotel to the Garden of Eden which God created, endowed it with everything but the snake succeeded in deceiving Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He reminded the staff that Ayaba hotel was created for them to work so as to earn a living but seemingly the snakes would always attempt to stir the staff off their objectives. He said that Ayaba has a roadmap that seeks to maintain the hotel as the best of the best in the region. He also lamented that he took over office when the hotel owed over 800 million FCFA. “Gradually, we are paying off the debts with CNPS and other taxes and that since January 2013, the establishment has been paying it taxes on monthly bases. “When I arrived here, we were at less than 15% consumption and today we are at 40% which is indicative”, Doume Zacharie continued. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)