Koulbout Aman David, Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Meme has denied the allegations that he sold the land belonging to the former taxation building located on Buea Road, Kumba. The building was burnt down by angry protesters during the February 2008 upheavals.

He made the statement during a press briefing on July 17 in Kumba. Addressing the issue which had recently become a talking point in all quarters and drinking spots in Kumba, the SDO stated that the land is State Property, and the state can lease it at any time. However, he opined that two individuals have applied to put the land into good use.

The SDO hinted that as per the law, the applications of the interested parties were addressed to the Minister of State Property and Land Tenure via his Office and that of the Divisional Delegation of State Property and Land Tenure and recommendation made from the various offices and forwarded to Yaoundé to the Minister, who after his authorization, will lease an agreement that will be signed between the interested parties and the state.

He equally observed that it is not only the former taxation land that developers are eyeing,but also, the former Treasurer Building, located at Buea Road in Kumba too.

The building was burnt too during the rampage of 2008. Because SWELA expressed interest in the land, he said it could not be shown to any developers.

Dethronement of chiefs In a related development, Meme Division has witnessed the dethronement of some 3rd Class Chiefs. This happened in Mbonge Sub-Division where the Chief of Big Bekondo, Chief Motale, enthroned about 14 years ago was served a Prefectoral Order endorsed by Meme SDO. The Chief of Bai Grass, Chief Eyambe Etine has equally been earmarked for dethronement.

According to the SDO, they were dethroned following series of complaints addressed to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, on the grounds of being disrespectful, and engaging in illegal sale of community land at the detriment of future generations. More aggravating is the fact that they allegedly prevented Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, from registering electorates in their respective villages during the last elections.

The SDO hinted that the State could not stay and cover her eyes on these strange developments and these were the reasons why the Minister went ahead to take the decision to depose them.

Fake Certificates from HTTTC Applicants The SDO also hinted that, he is aware of the fact that fake certificates are filtering into his office for certification from some 5000 applicants scrambling for the 500 available places for admission into the Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College, HTTTC, Kumba. He said he has put in place stringent measures to check these abuses and has equally sent a warning message to candidates.

The SDO used the briefing to announce that the government through the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing will in the days ahead begin the construction of Low-Cost Housing in Kumba III Sub-Division along the Kumba-Mamfe road.