As security Ban Prolongs:

Mamfe Petrol Dealers Get Restive Amid Poverty

Senior Police official says the ban will continue until normalcy returns to Manyu division and until when regulatory safeguards are put in the otherwise booming and lucrative activity.

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem back from Mamfe

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mvogo Jean Marie says the importation and sale of contraband petrol in Manyu must be controlled or even stopped

The Commander of the National Rapid Intervention Police Squad, ESIR, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mvogo Jean Marie, who is presently in Mamfe with his boys to put order in the now restive town, has said that the administration has no intention to completely stop the importation and sale of contraband fuel and other products in Mamfe. Mvogo Jean Marie maintains that the activity will lie fallow for now and until when normalcy would return to the river port town.

                SSP Mvogo Jean Marie explained during a chat with this reporter that the ‘administrative tolerance’ that permitted the contraband petrol sector to thrive in Manyu was because the government was well aware that with just one fuel station in Mamfe and the whole of Manyu division the populations could not get constant supply of fuel. But the ESIR boss at once said administrative tolerance should not give room for disorder and insecurity.

                “When the government allows you to continue with an activity that is unlawful it is because she understands the realities on the ground. It is the government’s desire to make sure that all its citizens are happy wherever they are. But when such administrative tolerance is abused and actors start using the activity to create disorder and insecurity then the government has no other option than to withdraw it,” SSP Mvogo Jean Marie explained.

                “The sale of contraband petrol in Mamfe has to be controlled. It is true that for now Mamfe cannot do without contraband fuel. We also know that petrol sale is the mainstay of the people of Manyu and it is what propels the economy of the division. But the activity was posing a threat to order and security in the town,” the Police Chief said, adding that “those operating in the sector should have authorization from to operate; they should have a secured place to stock the petrol so as to prevent fire disasters. They should also pay taxes to government because it is a lucrative activity,” he underscored.

                The Senior Police Official also evoked the illegal exportation of rice from Cameroon to Nigeria, another activity that had been gaining grounds in Mamfe lately.

                “Look at the quantity of rice that leaves Mamfe and Ekok to Nigeria each day and all of this is done illegally. Where do these people think the government got the money to build the road through which they pass with these contraband goods? Some of the rice exporters brandish documents at police and customs checkpoints claiming they are taking the rice to Akwaya but this is just to evade customs and excise duties. We know that Akwaya does not have the market to consume such huge quantities of rice,” SSP Mvogo pointed out, insisting that all such activities will henceforth be regulated or stopped.

                He advised dealers operating in these sectors to organize themselves and get authorization to operate.

                “These people should pay taxes for their activity,” Mvogo insisted, also evoking the cocoa exports to Nigeria.

                “Look at the cocoa sector. We are aware that cocoa sells in Nigeria at 800 fcfa while local buyers buy at 600fcfa. So it is reasonable for farmers in Manyu to take their cocoa to Nigeria where they are sure to make more profits. But here again there is a problem: Cocoa so illegally exported is not factored in the country’s annual cocoa output and it is the state that loses. Also these people sell and make huge profits but do not pay taxes to the government,” SSP Mvogo observed, maintaining that all these activities must be regulated and the actors made to operate in legality and in respect for laid down regulations.

                He used the occasion of our chat to also explain the reason for the rather ‘frightful presence’ of the ESIR and other forces in Mamfe town.

                “We are here to secure the people. The ESIR is here to complement the efforts of the other security forces to ensure that law and order returns to Mamfe and Manyu division in general. The people are not our enemies. It is instead they who look upon us as enemies,” Mvogo explained, condemning the shooting and killing of security officers by some misguided civilians.

                “Journalist, is it normal for people to take up arms and shoot and kill security forces that are sent to secure and protect them? If you are put in such a situation how would you react? We have to fish out all these bad elements in the community so that peace and security can return.”