The population of Muetan Kodmin, Tombel Sub Division, Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West region, has abandoned the village for cocoa farming and petty businesses in Tombel.
The Ultimate learnt that the villagers together with their chief claimed that as a result of the socio political crisis in the region, the village is unsafe, justifying their reason for moving to Tombel which is they consider safer.
The villagers also argued that being at the border between Tombel Sub Division and Bangem Sub Division, it is difficult to sell their farm produce in the village and business activities is slow in the village, reason why they decided to migrate to Tombel.
Margaret Emade of Kodmin village, the closest to Muetan Kodmin refuted claims that the village is unsafe. She said they live in peace daily and Muetan Kodmin people cannot hang on insecurity as an excuse for abandoning their village.
Emade also regretted that it is dangerous for the entire village to abandon their ancestors for another land. She said Muetan Kodmin is not only fertile but has free water, good vegetation and lucrative forest resources to benefit the inhabitants.
Emade added that they used to have cordial relationship with the people of Muetan Kodmin as neighbours but their disappearance from the village has created a big vacuum.
Meanwhile Simon Epie of Mbwogmut II was furious that Muetan Kodmin people have desecrated their land by abandoning their roots. He said even farmland and houses have been abandoned to rot in the bush. He lamented that it is shameful to see some of the villagers appear once in a while, harvest plantain, sell and disappear to Tombel as if a mascarade is pursuing them from the village. “With this situation now, what explanation shall they give to their children and the future generation of the village?” Epie questioned. He prayed the chief come to reason and rallies his people back to the Muetan Kodmin.
Several attempts by The Ultimate to get the Chief of Muetan Kodmin or his subjects comment on the situation were futile, as none of them was available to comment on their migration to Tombel.
By Ewane Festus
