The Government of Cameroon holds Ndian Division and its Citizens in Captivity

September 12, 2016 

To: The President of the Republic of Cameron

Unity Palace, Etoudi, Yaoundé

 

Your Excellency, 
                            

OPEN LETTER ON THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF KUMBA-EKONDO TITI- MUNDEMBA-AKWA ROAD AND AN IMMINENT EXCISION OF NDIAN DIVISION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
 

     Prompted by high sense of honour and responsibility, we, the undersigned indigenes of Ndian division, would like to draw your attention to the herein above subject matter bearing on the catastrophic and unacceptable state of roads in Ndian division, particularly, the national road linking Kumba (Meme division) to Ekondo Titi, Mundemba, Isangele and Akwa, under Ndian division.

     By way of illumination, you may wish to recall that, Ndian division under the South West Region was created out of the old Kumba division in 1966 with headquarters in Mundemba. It covers an area of 6,626 km² (second largest after Manyu), with a population currently estimated at over 500,000 people who, unfortunately, are exposed to constant possibility of complete seclusion from the rest of Cameroon due to the deplorable and very often impassable state of the only road linking them to Kumba, Meme division.

     Furthermore, it is important to draw to your attention to the fact that Ndian division is home to one hundred and thirty-five (135) villages and towns whose vast economic potential, has hardly been exploited owing to limited access to markets. Our hope is to be finally connected to the rest of the entire country by road. Moreso, the Kumba-Ekondo Titi-Mundemba – Akwa road stretch connects over 50 villages and towns in Meme and Ndian divisions as well as neighbouring Nigeria, our main trading partner. It is not only a national road but more importantly, it can be ascribed international status considering that it connects to the Ekondo Titi river Port, Mbonge River Port, Mundemba River Port and Akwa River Port which generate huge customs and excise revenue accruing from robust economic ties with Nigeria.

     Administratively, Ndian division is divided into nine sub divisions:

   

     i.        Bamusso

   ii.        Dikome-Balue

3. Ekondo-Titi
4. Idabato
5. Isanguele
6. Kombo-Abedimo
7. Kombo-Idinti
8. Mundemba
9. Toko

The Map of South West Region--Ndian in Green

In addition to the above, Ndian division is also home to the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula and Rio del Rey with its fishing and other aquatic resources- national assets and natural resources that would be easily accessible, productive and competitive with attendant massive investment, job opportunities and wealth creation potentials, if the Kumba-Ekondo Titi- Mundemba–Akwa road stretch were improved upon and paved. It will not only link Ndian to Cameroon, but shall equally enhance the industriousness and sense of belongingness of the people with the new found exposure to the global economy.

 

Mundemba, Ndian divisional headquarters

     Economically, Pamol Plantations Public Liability Company, an agro-industrial giant, operating in the division since 1926, grows oil palms and rubber as its main crops and specializes in the production of palm oil and natural rubber.  It operates on land surface area of about 10,300 hectares with an additional capital of about FCFA1.874 billion recently pumped in by the government of Cameroon (majority shareholder). However, the management and staff of this otherwise live-saving company are very often exposed to the vagaries of poverty and starvation due to gluts in their stock of oil emanating from, impossibility to sell to customers barred by bad roads from reaching their sales points in Ndian and Lobe estates. Indeed, their appropriate expansion to Mosongeselli and Iribanyanga in the Bakassi area is being hampered by the impracticable nature of the road impeding the ferrying of building and planting materials into these extension zones.     

Lobe Estate Mill

Dilapidated and inhumane housing for Pamol Estate workers

     Another project with huge economic potentials is Sustainable Oils Cameroon (SGSOC), an Agro-Industrial company and subsidiary of Herakles Farms, in existence since 2006, with a pending concession on 6746 hectares of land to grow oil palms in Mundemba and Toko sub-divisions under Ndian division. Here too, there will be an uphill task transporting building and planting materials as one of the main bridges on the road to Toko has collapsed after its abutments were swept away by flood. There is therefore, immediate need for a new bridge to be constructed over Moriba River.

     It is also important to draw to your attention that private business initiatives throughout Ndian division have been terribly hampered because of either the absence of roads or impassable state of existent make-shift roads.

Tourism

     With regards to tourism and biodiversity conservation, Korup National Park covers an area of over 1,260 km² of mostly pristine forest reputed as one of Africa’s oldest and richest rainforests in terms of floral and faunal diversity. It is the most accessible rainforest National Park in Cameroon with basic lodging infrastructure and a large network of trails open to visitors. The current situation of the road from Kumba to Mundemba, where Park management facilities are located does not endear itself to potential tourists visiting Cameroon due to the fact that, a journey of 110 km between Mundemba and Kumba that should normally be covered in under 2 hours ends up taking a whole day. The situation on the Kumba-Ekondo Titi-Mundemba road is aggravated by constant presence of trucks and trailers rendering the road impassable. This circumstance has induced colossal loss in its wake with regards to income that could have been generated from tourism if the roads were paved.

Make-shift bridge to Korup Park

     Other touristic attractions include Rumpi Hills Wildlife Reserve created in 1941 covering about 45,843 hectares (177.00 sq mi) and NDONGORE National Park. Tourism and hospitality experts have estimated that these National Parks and tourism troves would have been attracting over 100 000 tourists to Ndian division, annually. However, due the deplorable condition of the Kumba-Ekondo-Titi-Mundemba- Akwa road which is at best seasonal, it attracts less than 500 tourists, annually.   The construction of this very important road would, without doubt, create enormous opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry vital for any emerging economy.

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

     Your Excellency, `Fortune of Africa′ (FOA) an Oil and Gas Intelligence Platform (2014 Publication), estimated that,  Cameroon has about 200 million barrels of proven oil reserves and one of the largest gas reserves in Africa estimated at over 4.77 trillion cubic feet. The bulk of Cameroon’s oil (89 percent) can be found in the offshore Rio del Rey Basin, Ndian division in the South West Region while the rest (11 percent) is within the Douala Basin. Notable oil fields in the country include: Bayo Asoma oil field, Boa Bakassi oilfield, Ekoundou Oil Field, KF Oil field, Kita Edem oil field, Kole Marine oil field, Kribi oil field and Lipenja oil field.

The different Oilfields in Ndian division

     Your Excellency, we know that you are aware of the potential of our division in the sustenance of our country; however, we believe that you are not aware why, in spite of these vast economic potential, the citizens of Ndian are still complaining. In spite of these potentials, natural endowments and contributions to the national wealth and basket, Ndian still remains the most backward enclave and largest human prison on earth lacking a good road network linking it to the rest of the country. The only road linking Ndian division to Kumba is in deplorable condition, and usually seasonal.

Mundemba-Ekondo-Titi road

Moreover, most of the sub divisional headquarters are

Douala road contrasts what obtains in Mundemba

linked to the divisional headquarters by water, bush paths or tracks. The bush tracks linking them to Mundemba divisional headquarter, were mostly constructed by local cultural and development associations and are seasonal (October- January), cut off completely, during the wet season.

THE IMPACT OF THE BAKASSI CRISES ON NDIAN ECONOMY AND PEOPLE

     The Bakassi crisis and intermittent skirmishes were experienced exclusively on Ndian soil and its devastating impact on the socio-cultural and economic life of the people of Ndian division has been immeasurable. We cannot gainsay the fact that, wars and armed conflicts not only bring sorrow, tears and bloodshed in their wake but famine, fear, hunger, starvation, orphans, massive deprivation and destruction of economies. These are some of the untold sufferings which the war left behind but the government has done nothing to rehabilitate the indigenes of the division.

     We will indeed be grateful if Your Excellency would provide funds and directives for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Bakassi Area, rehabilitating and upgrading of the Pamol Airstrips in Mundemba and Lobe bulldozed and abandoned by the Armed Forces, the Ekondo Titi, Mundemba, Bamusso, Isangele River ports used as military bases by the Armed Forces and Security Forces during the Bakassi conflicts and the construction of the Mundemba –Bakassi road.

     As a corollary to the above, it is however regrettable that the amounts earmarked and budgeted by government for otherwise laudable projects in Bakassi are grossly under represented by  what is on ground as most of these facilities suffered from poor execution with some either completely abandoned or are in dangerously advanced state of disrepair.

      In the event, most of our villages are getting extinct and increasingly becoming uninhabitable as we currently experience the highest rural- urban migration in the region occasioned by lack of access roads.  The massive exodus is not as a result of natural disasters, wars or epidemic but simply lack of access roads and connectivity to the rest of Cameroon, to support socio-economic activities.

     In actual fact, the situation has become so worrisome that, it is increasingly becoming difficult for most villages to bury their dead, as there are not enough young men to even dig graves. Pathetic!

     In some of our villages, schools, hospitals, telecommunications facilities, security posts, electricity and offices are either lacking in personnel and in infrastructure or do not exist at all in some parts of the division. We need urgent help; if it is available, and, we can count on your high office and esteemed person to help our dreams come true. It has been 50 years grueling patience.

      THE STATE OF THE KUMBA-EKONDO TITI-MUNDEMBA-BAKASSI ROAD

     Your Excellency, we would like to refer to your promise to the good people of Ndian during your maiden visit to Buea- South West regional headquarters in 1984 that, the Kumba-Ekondo Titi- Mundemba-Isangele-Akwa Road stretch shall be constructed. We are not sure if we should continue to rely on that promise after 32 years even as we still see magnanimity of a concerned father in your person. This explains why we have deemed it necessary to remind you of your obligation because the white man has told us that, a promise is a debt. Your Excellency, with all due reverence to your office, I dare say your indebtedness to the people of Ndian is long overdue eliciting in its wake a desire to cry aloud.

     We also recall here, your reiteration of the same promise in Buea on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cameroon’s reunification.  It is based on these promises and demands of protocol that we are serving you this petition not as a protest of our grievances but as a reminder for you to fulfill these endearing promises you made to the people of Ndian 32 years ago which were still reiterated in Buea,  two years ago.

      he Kumba- Ekondo-Titi- Mundemba- Akwa road is 175 kilometers long.  The journey from Kumba to Mundemba is 120 kilometers. During the wet season, it takes between two to three days depending on the type and condition of the vehicle to travel from one town to another.

PHOTO OF THE STATE OF THE NDIAN ROAD DURING THE WET SEASON.

This is the state of the roads in Ndian division for you to see, Mr. President

Indeed, the impractical nature of the only road link to Ndian division has left the people of Ndian even more miserable as prices of every single good and services imported from the Republic of Cameroon is sold at triple, the price in Ndian because the traders have to factor in and pass on the transportation cost of their commodity to their hapless consumers.  There is always massive shortage of food stuff, provisions, medicine, fuel and gas to even power the thermal electricity generator during the wet season. Below is the factorization cost of same goods at different cities in Cameroon compared to Ndian division.

  

SN	DESCRIPTION OF ITEM	COST IN CFA DOUALA	COST IN CFA KUMBA	COST IN CFA NDIAN
1	50 KG OF RICE	16,000	17,000	22,000
2	A BUNDLE OF ZINC	180,000	185,000	200,000
3	A BAG OF CEMENT	4,500	4,700	7,000
4	50 KG FLOUR	14,000	15,000	20,000
5	ANIMAL FEED 50KG	5,000	6,000	10,000

     Our farmers and fishermen who are the main economic operators and mainstay of our local economy are unable to convey their produce to the nearest markets in Cameroon because their products cannot face the market prices since they have to add the cost of delivery to the market. Similarly, they are barred by the Local Administrators to export or sell to Nigeria wherein the market is competitive and buyers are prepared, to buy even at above market price when transport cost is factored. Even worse still is Pamol Plantations Plc that barely manages to pay salaries to its workers during wet seasons when the roads are virtually impassable and bar potential customers from coming down to buy oil and rubber. The losses incurred owing to impassable roads runs into hundreds of millions, annually.

     Your Excellency, consequent upon the message conveyed hereinabove; we humbly and respectfully make the following requests:

 

a)  That, you kindly use your good offices to expeditiously, put in place immediate mechanisms  for the construction and paving of the Kumba-Ekondo Titi- Mundemba- Akwa road to save us from imminent economic genocide
 

b)   That, you kindly consider the establishment of a Ndian Development Authority, funded annually by a minimum of five percent from oil proceeds as accrued royalties to tackle effectively and efficiently developmental issues for Ndian as an oil and border community. This is the principle of derivation in elementary economics which states that, part of the proceeds of a resource-producing region shall be used to optimize development in that area.

c)  That, you kindly use your good offices to consider formulating and enacting a bill on derivation to enable Ndian councils and communities benefit from oil proceeds.

d)  That, you kindly direct relevant Government agencies to audit all funds budgeted for rehabilitation and reconstruction of projects earmarked for Ndian division under the Bakassi rehabilitation projects and other such programs.

 

e)   We would like to reassure Your Excellency and the good people of Ndian of our commitment to be civil, law abiding, true and patriotic citizens of the REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON in spite of our present not-so-fancied predicament and challenges.

     While reveling in the optimism that, this time around, our petition shall receive utmost considerations and your promises shall be upheld to the appreciation of our people, accept our boundless esteem for your high office and person.

Long live Ndian Division,

Long live the REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
 

 

DONE THIS 12^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2016 IN MUNDEMBA By Concerned Citizens of Ndian Division (CCN)

CC:  

• HE THE PRIME MINISTER OF REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
• HE THE SENATE PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
• HE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT, REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
• THE HON MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION AND DECENTRALISATION.
• MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS
• THE HON MINISTER DELEGATE DR DION NGUTE
• THE GOVERNOR, SOUTH WEST REGION
• THE SENIOR DIVISION OFFICER, NDIAN
• THE MAYOR, MUNDEMBA RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, EKONDO TITI RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, ISANGELE RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, TOKO RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, DIKOME RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, KOMBO ABEDIMO RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MAYOR, BAMUSSO RURAL COUNCIL
• THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTS FOR NDIAN
• THE SENATORS REPRESENTING NDIAN
• THE PRESIDENT NDIAN TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
• THE PRESIDENT SOUTH WEST  TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
• THE PRESIDENT SWELA
• THE PRESIDENTS OF ALL NDIAN CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS.