As election of new market master flops:

K’ba Main Market now managed by caretaker committee

-SDO orders committee to report to him weekly

-Gov’t Delegate’s ability in handling matters within his competence called to question

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

The new SDO for Meme has appointed a caretaker committee to ensure the proper and orderly functioning of the Kumba Main Market. Chamberlain Ntou’ouNdong signed the Prefectoral Order appointing the management committee on 6 April 2017. The committee was put in place to put an end to the chaos and confusion that have characterized the functioning of the market, after an election to designate new members to head the Kumba Main Market Traders Welfare Association, was declared abortive.

                It should be noted that traders in the market were left at a loss and in confusion without knowing who to address their problems to this because the mandate of the last executive of their union had expired. The creation of the caretaker committee thus brings to a temporal end a bad situation which had been dragging for weeks unend..

                According to the Prefectoral order, the members of the eight-man caretaker committee are neutral persons who were not known to belong to any of the three camps that contested the failed election. 

                Thus, “pending the organization of the election in view of designating executive members of the Kumba main market traders’ association, the following persons are as from the date of signature of this order hereby appointed as members of a caretaker committee to the Kumba Main market welfare association: They include Mr. EyoMbone as chairperson, Mr. AgienChrysantus as Vice chairperson, Mrs. SiehMalah as Secretary, Mr. AbuahDiuedonneIbiatoh as treasurer, Mrs. Monya Rose Tambe as financial secretary, Mrs. Mbola Martha as 1st advicer, Mr. KovalchouNgassa as 2nd adviser and Mr. TchindaHogus Alexandra as 3rd adviser,” so read the SDO’s order, a copy of which The Median procured.

                The order gives the committee the powers to manage the security situation of the market, day-to-day running of the affairs of the market. It shall render weekly accounts to the SDO until fresh elections are organized at the market.

                The order equally warns the outgoing executive to desist from carrying out any functions in the market and to hand over all materials in their keeping to the caretaker committee, as well as empowers the DO for Kumba I, the government delegate to the Kumba city council, as well as the forces of law and order to ensure the effective respect and implementation of the said order in their respective spheres of competence.

                Commentators in Kumba have wasted no time to remark that the move by the SDO has only exposed and highlighted the Kumba government delegate as a toothless bull dog.

                “Elections of management teams of markets are supposed to be organized by the government delegate, as it is observed in other cities like Douala, Bamenda, Limbe etc. But this was not the case in Kumba where the SDO’s office had to intervene and organize and monitor the vote,” remarked a commentator, who continued that the Kumba government delegate lived below expectation so much so that he has become somewhat of a figurehead at the helm of the city.

                Yet, Victor NkelleNgoh’s loyalists argue that it is but normal for him as the the city boss to play the ostrich in the face of the present imbroglio at the market because there are allegations that he is sponsoring one of the contenders in the election for the job of market master. One observer noted “no doubt when the said candidate feared losing the last election he made calls to certain high offices in Kumba for it to be cancelled” wonder an observer. 

                However, what now puzzles many a Kumba market shop owner and/or traders is for how long the SDO’s caretaker committee will be in control? Many are asking if the election process will be started all over and new aspirants given the chance to compete for positions.

                The Median has gathered that as speculations about fresh elections continue to animate debates within the market and in other circles in town, new aspirants have indicated interest to enter the election race. Meanwhile, the old candidates are also girding their loins and campaigning and lobbying for eventual endorsement when the time comes.

                Yet is hoped that when the election would be convened the new Meme SDO will sell cheap as to collect bribes from candidates to rig the vote to their favour, as it was alleged the administrators who supervised the abortive election did.

                Whatever be the case, traders of the Kumba main market are pleading on the powers that be to organize a free and fair election that will enable them to freely and fairly pick the persons to serve them and represent them where ever and whenever the need be, and not hand-picked and imposed leaders who will pay allegiance to the authority that empowered him, and not to the traders whose interest he is supposed to safeguard and protect.