Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
The President of the Cameroon Athletics Federation, Emmanuel Motomby Mbome, has said the Diocese of Buea cannot move Sarah Liengu Etonge from the house constructed for her in Molyko, Buea. Th e Athletics Federation championed the construction of a befitting house for the Queen of the Mountain and seven-time-winner of the Female Category of the Mount Cameroon Race, Sarah Etonge.
In recent weeks a controversy has erupted, with the authorities of the Buea Diocese saying the land in which the house of Sarah Etonge has been built belongs to the Diocese of Buea.
Sarah Liengu Etonge -- the Queen of the Mountain and seven-time-winner of the Female Category of the Mount Cameroon Race
Reacting to statements made by the Chancellor of the Buea Diocese, Rev.Fr Bernard Asek Tambe, to the media, who holds that the land on which the house of Sarah Etonge has been built by the Cameroon Athletics Federation belongs to Buea Diocese, Motomby in a telephone interview with this reporter, Friday, May 16 2014 said; “The land was given to us for construction by the administration of the Southwest Region. They (Buea Diocese) cannot move Sarah Etonge from her house. When the Federation started the construction, where was the Diocese of
Rev.Fr Bernard Asek Tambe, Chancellor, Buea Diocese
Buea?” Motomby questioned, while turning down further inquiries from this reporter and putting off his phone.
According to Fr. Asek, the authorities of Buea Diocese were not aware or informed that a construction of sort was going on, considering that the piece of land under controversy is near the Co-Cathedral site under construction by Buea Diocese. “We were not consulted. We only discovered when they reached the roof level. An immediately we launched a complaint to
Emmanuel Motomby Mbome, President, Cameroon Athletics Federation
the Governor of the Southwest Region, who replied saying he did not know the land belonged to Buea Diocese,” he said.
Fr. Asek explained what the problem is; “Seven years ago, Buea Diocese acquired the now (controversial) land. We gave money worth FCFA 35 Million to the Molyko community via the Chief and the notables. We needed five hectares of land. Since we paid part of it worth FCFA 35 Million, we were supposed to give in more money at the end of the legal transaction. While looking forward to get done with the legal transaction and look out for more money, the CDC came for a negotiation with us, saying they will continue to use the plot we are about to buy over from the Molyko community and they will grow their crops for the next three years. The three years elapsed but CDC did not leave the land and they continued their agricultural activities for the next seven years.”
The Chancellor will add that when CDC left Buea Diocese did not know. “They abandoned the land without notifying us. It was during one of my visits with the Bishop of Buea to the Co-Cathedral site under construction that we saw the Bananas poisoned and a notice posted which read ‘state land’. We were worried that how can our land be tagged ‘state land’. We immediately notified our lawyers, who forwarded some documents to the Governor of the Region to explain what we have seen on the ground and our own side of the story.”
Fr Asek said the Governor of the Southwest Region did not convene a meeting at the time, indicating that he (the Governor) was preparing for the visit of President Paul Biya to Buea. The Chancellor mentioned that after the visit of President Biya, the Governor convened a meeting. “I was happy with that meeting as the SDO of Fako, the Regional Security officials and many Regional Delegates answered present. It was resolved in the meeting and on a firm note from the Governor that within two weeks the Molyko community should give back the land due for Buea Diocese. So, the SDO and the DO were those charged to execute. Unfortunately, when the time came, nothing happened.” The Chancellor will add that the Governor advised Buea Diocese to apply for land certificate, “which I engaged the process and forwarded our documents to the DO of Buea and a Decision was granted to us that our extra 2.5 hectares of land will be given to us when the pillars are planted. We were supposed to do that Wednesday, May 14 2014 but the Molyko traditional authorities did not come. The DO of Buea was there with the Land Consultative Commission but the Molyko Traditional authorities boycotted and sent a letter indicating that the land in question has a land title promulgated by the State and it cannot be abrogated by any other document, since it has been published in the official Gazette. The land is theirs and it is not possible for us to get it or any other person.”
On who received the initial payment of FCFA 35 Million from Buea Diocese, Fr. Asek responded; “Part of the money was paid to the late Chief of Molyko and the remainder by the current Chief. Suggestively, the money was used for the funeral and burial of the late Chief. Immediately after his burial, we finished the rest of the FCFA 35 Million.”
Asked what the claim of Buea Diocese is, following the reaction from the traditional authorities of Molyko, Fr. Asek expressed disgust, noting that Buea Diocese paid money for a particular piece of land and that same land has been given a land title without their consent. “That is where we see a problem. However, we look forward to a peaceful end. We want to avoid an escalation of the issue. We are still friends with the traditional authorities of Molyko. We had a meeting with the DO of Buea, Thursday, May 15 2014 to forge a way forward. Another has been slated for Friday, May 23 2014 to hopefully resolve the issues. The DO is doing his best to ensure that we have peace.”
Fr. Asek was upbeat that they will get an understanding and their land will be handed to them, indicating that there are options on what can be done. “We may relocate Sarah, get another land for her, if she wishes and build her another house or the house stays on the land and we co-exist,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Chief Esuka Etonge of Molyko turned down a recorded interview from this reporter but in an off-the-cuff discussion, he said he does not see a problem between Buea Diocese and the Chiefdom of Molyko. Chief Esuka indicated in our discussion that there is need for Buea Diocese and the Molyko community to have a dialogue on the issue and sue for a peaceful resolution.
The DO of Buea, Paul Wokam Kouam said they are handling the matter, while encouraging the Molyko Community and Buea Diocese to be peaceful, show a lot of understanding and go for alternative proposals on the land issue.
Sarah Etonge expressed surprise with the reaction from Buea Diocese, mentioning that the bulldozing and construction of the house took about a month, “a time which Buea Diocese would have taken note of and make their claims as early as possible. However, I have no personal problem with Buea Diocese. I have no problem with the government. They (government) put me into the house. I wish to stay where I am and not in any complicated area or any other house to be given me,” she added.
