Beautification Of Kumba: City Delegate Warns Recalcitrant Landlords To Comply

By Olive Ejang| Monday, 19 April 2010| The Post|

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The Government Delegate to the Kumba City Council, Victor Nkele Ngoh, has warned landlords who have refused to renovate their buildings. The landlords, The Post learnt, have been unable to comply with the Council’s beautification programme.

In a communiqué issued on April 13, Nkele said some abandoned and dilapidated buildings within the City of Kumba were earmarked for renovation since 2009. He said owners and occupants of such buildings have remained adamant to the beautification programme of the city. Nkele warned that such owners have up to April 30th 2010 to renovate their buildings else the City Council shall implement unpleasant measures on them.

However, the Government Delegate congratulated those that have given the town a facelift in the ongoing embellishment and painting exercise of buildings, launched by the City Council.
When The Post contacted some owners who have not yet complied with the decision, they said they lack money to repair their houses. A landlord, Ojong Abanda disclosed that the beautification of the city is good but he lacked the money to renovate his building.

Ojong, a farmer, explained that he could barely feed his family and send his children to school.
Abanda pleaded that the council should identify needy landlords and assist them with money to enable them renovate their houses for the sake of beauty. Meanwhile, David Sona of Buea Road Kumba said he would fall prey to the City Council’s sanctions because of poverty.

According to him, the time limit was too short for the exercise, and considering the high prices of paint and zinc, they find it difficult to meet up. He said many people will be jobless if their business places are demolished. Sona pleaded with the City Council to reconsider the demolition of business places in Kumba.