Operation clean the streets:

Buea Council carries out more demolitions

By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

Cross-section of Buea council session

Several onlookers were drawn from their businesses and homes as they watched the Mayor of the Buea Council, Ekema Patrick and his team pull down structures, sheds and roadside business places. Aimed at getting rid of poorly constructed structures along the Molyko stretch of road, last Wednesday’s action saw the Mayor and his team make several stops while pulling down fast food joints, trucks, containers and plank structures built close to the road.

                The Mayor issued a release a month ago informing the population about the planned demolitions. But it seems the announcement fell on deaf ears.

                Some victims of the clean-up operation, notably business operators, have criticized the Mayor, describing him as heartless. A few courageous persons who tried to confront the Mayor were held off by council police.

                Though received with mixed feelings by the population, the Mayor says it is a measure aimed to clean up the fast growing municipality and render it more beautiful and airy. “If Buea must develop then we must carry out such actions,” says mayor Ekema, who underscored the council’s attachment to the infrastructural development of the municipality.  

                In a related story, Mayor Ekema Patrick Esunge has issued a release informing the public and churches within the Buea Municipality that in line with Municipal Declaration No. 068/2015 of 23rd December 2015 which emanated from the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Buea Council regulating the period of worship by churches that “No church is allowed to operate between 9pm and 5pm.” The announcement adds that any house of worship found operating between these hours will go down for it as the council police as well as forces of law and order will carry out spontaneous controls.

                The Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Zang III, has likewise given the Buea Mayor his support to clean up the streets of Buea. Zang III says these actions are aimed at preparing the town of Buea and its environs ahead of the November 2016 Female African Football Championship.