By Peterkins Manyong
Mendankwe villagers in Bamenda Central Subdivision are mobilising to storm the Bamenda Magistrate Court, on July 24, to protest the trial of their tribesmen for championing a rebellion against the National Water Cooperation, SNEC.
George Tala, a Councillor of Mendankwe origin is to appear in court for allegedly championing the uprising.But Fon Forsuh Fongwa II, traditional ruler of Mendankwe has warned of impending mayhem if the crisis is not handled prudently.
The Fon's letter dated July 19, 2006, titled, "Request for Urgent Intervention to Avert the Breach of Peace in Mendankwe" is addressed to the Divisional Officer, DO, Bamenda Central.
In it, Fon Forsuh draws the attention of the DO to the fact that the population of Bamendankwe have no potable water despite the fact that the SNEC catchment centre is in his village, although the water is treated in Akumbele New Town.
He reminds the administration that in the 80s SOCEA, the company charged with water management at the time, completed the installation of the water project in Mendankwe and erected stand taps for the village.
"These stand taps are now worn out and no longer flow, especially in the dry season when water is most needed," the Fon wrote.He stated that Mendankwe people requested SNEC to provide them with potable water, which can be paid for, but the response has been negative for reasons best known to SNEC.
Consequently, the population has been consuming untreated water. In February 2006, part of the village raised money and connected this water to their various neighbourhoods after negotiating with some citizens who could repair the taps. This was in a bid to allow the population access to water from these taps, as they used to do.
"Unfortunately, just one day after the connection, SNEC authorities arrived in Bamendankwe with security officers and shattered the pipes from the main connection," regretted the Fon in his letter. "It has come to my knowledge and attention that some of my subjects are being dragged to court in respect to this matter.
The reaction of the population in relation to this fact is very negative with serious threats to dismantle SNEC installations in Bamendankwe and breach the public peace," the letter warned.
The Fon called on the DO "to intervene urgently in the matter between Bamendankwe and SNEC so as to avert breach of public peace which we so much need now."
Tala, one of the subjects dragged to court, showed The Post the summons issued by the Legal Department ordering him to appear in court on Monday, July 24.
A similar clash between SNEC and the population in the past led to the expulsion of the company from Bui, Bali and Muyuka.The population of Bui and Bali took over and are managing the water themselves.
This is just an intergral part of the struggle to elicit the obliteration of LRC in Ambazonia.Dismantle the thievery colonial SNEC installations.More grace to your elbows.The struggle against LRC needs to be strenghtened.Every Ambazonian should put hands on deck.The stakes are high.
Posted by: Ndiks | Monday, 24 July 2006 at 09:03 AM
The people of this proud village mendankwe have always supplied potable water to the people of Bamenda from time immemoral. This they did without asking for much. Is it so wrong for them to ask for the same quality of water that is sold to the other citizens of Bamenda? If the company that is responsible for the sale of water from MendaNkwe think the people of this village do not deserve clean water, they better think twice. The least they could do for the people of this village is to provide them with cheap potable water or provide it to those who can supply their equipment free. if they cannot do either of the two then they better start picking up their things and moving out of MendaNkwe. The people of this village have just about had enough abuse at the hands of the water company. Royalties are not being paid to the people of MendaNkwe, why should they continue to allow this oppressive water company to continue operation in their vlllage if all they ask is potable water and cannot get it. If the people have to take desperate means to achieve their goals then so be it. Remember that desperate people always go to desperate means to achieve what it is they want. Demonstrations being the chief means. More power to the peopel of MendaNkwe in your struggles towards gaining what is rightfully yours,"potable water".
Posted by: John Akoh | Wednesday, 26 July 2006 at 11:45 PM
God has blessed Cameroon with water and other resources but the devil represented by the French colonial regime of Biya doesn't want Cameroonians to enjoy these God given resources.
I don't know what is wrong with this SNEC. Go to Mamfe, same story, Muyuka same, Buea same. In places where they manage to supply by rationing though, they want to crucify poor Cameroonians with bills.
Cameroonians use to enjoy clean and cheap water on regular basis before the arrival of this hell of a company called SNEC. I am sure the real name of this company is SNAKE not SNEC because it is really causing a lot of havoc to Cameroonians.
The people of Muyuka and other towns fought and succeeded and I call on the Mendankwe people to fight. If they are united, they will surely succeed.
Shalom
Klemenceau
Posted by: Klemenceau | Thursday, 27 July 2006 at 12:47 AM