Preparation for Women’s AFCON:

Buea Council caterpillars raze houses in Molyko

By Boris Esono in Buea

Demolished structures in Molyko, Buea

Thousands of onlookers watched in awe and consternation Wednesday as the mayor of Buea, Ekema Patrick Esunge supervised the demolition of houses and makeshift business premises built within the public space, along the main road passing through Molyko.

                Bars, shops and living homes were completely or partly razed by Buea city council caterpillars. All structures built less than five meters from the main road were pulled down.

                “It is a campaign to get property owners along the main road to respect town planning laws and regulations especially at this time when we will be hosting the Women’s AFCON in November this year. It is some kind of a clean up campaign and we are simply executing laid down regulations on town planning,” explained Mayor Ekema, who emphasized that the measure concerns those guilty of violating the laws regulating housing and town planning.

                “It is the role of the council to ensure development of the town apart from ensuring security and better living conditions for both residents and visitors. And you cannot bring about veritable infrastructural development without carrying out such demolitions,” corroborated Mayor Ekema, who continued: “we do not target particular areas or individuals as some people are wont to believe. We are simply applying the law. Even then we have tried to be considerate enough as to leave out some structures that are seen to beautify the town even if they also violated the law. In fact if we had to apply the law to the letter then the damage would be unimaginable”

                The demolitions were punctuated by several stops along the Molyko neighborhood, which can easily be described as the business hub of the city of Buea.

                The campaign that started on Monday 19 September 2016 in neighborhoods like Mile 16, Malingo street continued on Wednesday in Molyko,  Muea and Bomaka .

                Cars could barely make their way through, as the demolitions caused temporal traffic hold-ups along the main stretch passing from Mile 17 through Molyko to Bonduma and Great Soppo.    

                Victims of the demolitions were those who either vehemently refused to heed or did not take seriously the warning that the Mayor gave a month earlier. Ekema Patrick in his widely publicized notification urged all property owners along the main road and its adjourning areas to make sure their properties are built in respect of laid down laws and regulations on building and town planning.

                As the caterpillars pulled down roofs and walls of buildings, some onlookers and victims of the campaign could be overheard cursing the Mayor, describing him as “wicked and heartless”. Women were seen sobbing in pain as they watched their hard earned acquisitions razed to rubble.

                A few courageous men who tried to confront the council officials were simply over-powered and pulled aside by no-nonsense council police.

                However, others who saw meaning in the measure taken by the council, hailed the mayor for his bravery and strictness, saying it is only by so doing that the cleanliness that the city of Buea is credited for, can be upheld and sustained.

                “You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs,” said a commentator, certainly in praise of the mayor.

                “We are hosting a continental football tournament in November and Buea has an important role to play during the games. Apart from some delegations that would be lodged in Buea, many tourists would also be coming to see the first capital of German Kamerun and the British Southern Cameroons, not to mention the ‘Chariot of the Gods’. You don’t expect these people to come and see a dirty town, with houses haphazardly constructed. Do you?“ questioned the commentator rhetorically.