As land dispute rages on:

K’ba DO bans trespassing on HTTTC land

-Helpless occupants demand compensation from government

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Occupants on the over 500 hectares of land earmarked for the construction of the Higher Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC, Kumba, have been asked to quit the area without further delay. The decision was made by the DO of Kumba III, Gilbert GubaiBaldena, during a meet-the-people tour he carried out on Saturday 8 April 2017.

                Speaking to villagers who had come to welcome him at the site, the DO told them that he would not tolerate any further construction of houses on the site. He gave those illegally occupying the site up till August to quit or they will hear from him.

                The DO however reassured those who have already built on the site and who have land titles that they would be compensated by government. But GubaiBaldena remarked that any further constructions on the site would only complicate the evaluation that would be done by government and which will determine what the beneficiaries of compensation would get.

                Situated in Mukonje, between Total Three Corners and Dschang Quarters, the site to harbor the HTTTC Kumba is presently occupied by both built property and farms. Some of those occupying the site have vowed that they would not quit the area unless government compensates them.

                They are requesting a total of 13 hectares from the government as compensation. They made the request to the DO during his visit to the site on Saturday. 

                Speaking to this reporter on the sidelines of the DO’s tour, the spokesperson of those occupying parts of the land, EbotAgbor appealed to the powers that be to carve out a minimal portion of about 13 hectares and hand to them as compensation. He said if this is not done they will have no other alternative than to continue occupying the land.

                Presenting a map of the site and the area already occupied, Ebot said it would be pleasing to all the parties should government consider granting them at least the 13 hectares that are presently harboring built properties. 

                “This is the area where we have built houses, some completed, some ongoing and some still at the foundation stage,” Ebot explained, noting that if granted to them the 13 hectares will save the occupants from becoming frustrated, confused and stranded.

                It should be noted that the earmarked site for the construction of the permanent structures of the HTTTC Kumba, had since been declared a public domain by the state. But Ebot noted that ever since the dispute erupted over the said land, the occupants have not been shown the ministerial order declaring the land as public utility.

                “We are appealing to the DO of Kumba III to show us a copy of the ministerial order making the land a public utility,” he requested, thanking the DO for coming to the field to see for himself what has been transpiring, unlike other officials who only sit in their offices and take decisions without bothering to know the reality on the ground.

                According to findings by this reporter, a total of 91 persons own land around the disputed site, 20 of whom have already constructed houses on the land. One of the inhabitants of the said land revealed if all the owners of the plots around the area are identified the number may rise to 150.

                Of the over 500 hectares of land allocated for the construction of HTTTC Kumba, only 158 hectares is empty with the other hectares occupied by cocoa plantations and houses, reason why the occupants are begging for 13 hectares in front while government will then make use of the other area.

                The DO has ordered the inhabitants to stop any further construction works on the said piece of land. This he said will enable government to adequately and properly carryout evaluation on the existing property for adequate compensation. He has also promised to make provision for the ministerial order declaring the site as a public utility. Meanwhile he has requested the spokesperson of the occupants of land area the disputed area to give him a photocopy of the cartographic map presented to him.