By Sally Oneke
Earlier this year, the President and the executives of Kumba Main Market Traders Welfare Association were stripped off their functions due to misappropriation of the association’s funds.
In this regard, Youngkuma Nelson, the 2nd Divisional Officer for Kumba, assigned an 8-man delegation to run the affairs of the market until a due date for the election of the market administrators.
Traders at the Kumba City Council Prior to Elections
On July 26, anxious crowd of traders gathered at the Kumba Urban Council hall to vote for their new leaders. The three contestants Ayamba, Willie Tabot, and Jimmy Tchango stood before members of the association and before government officials: the 2nd Divisional Officer for Meme, Youngkuma Nelson and the government delegate for Kumba, Victor Ngoh.
The constitution was read out and amended prior to the voting. The Article 34 of the constitution which stipulated that only traders who hailed from the South West Region could stand as President of the association was amended to give rights to every Cameroonian. While some saw the need for amendments, others had a contrary view.
Ayamba, one of the contestants and a member of the association, says a special day should have been set aside to adopt the bill for a change of the constitution rather than doing it on the same day. He described the process as being unjust, and added that, out of the 1,165 registered members only approximately 500 were accepted by the organizing committee.
Despite all the odds, other members, like Jean Pierre, said the elections were of good nature as Jimmy Tchamgo carried the day as President of Kumba Market Traders Welfare Association.
The new elected President, Mr. Tchamgo, and his administration will represent the market in trade seminars, control finances and provide security for the market.
Kumba main market is the biggest and highest income generating market in the South West Region. According to the new administration, the market has 1,165 shop owners. Each trader who is a registered member of the association pays 300 frs CFA per month for security services, 100 frs CFA for exiting the market after closing hours and 100 frs CFA each time he uses the toilet.
