Elite Ban Chief from Village for Allegedly Embezzling Road Funds

Elite of Banyue Clan, Nguti Sub Division have accused the chief of Njuinyue village, Chief Mayarh of embezzling funds for the second phase of the Etabang-Banyue road project. The angry elite went ahead to place a traditional ban on the chief from entering Njuinyue, one of the villages under the Banyue Clan.

In a crisis meeting convened by the Senior Divisional Officer for Kupe Muanenguba, Mungambo Ekema William in Bangem on December 6, 2023, the villagers urged their chief to render account on the second phase of the road project.

According to Ngange Jaspa, Coordinator of Banyue Elite Association, sometime in 2018, villagers started contributing money for the opening and grading of the Etabang-Banyue road involving eight chiefdoms.

He said they commissioned Chief Mayarh of Njuinyue village to pilot the 22kms road project.

According to Ngange, the Chief effectively executed the first phase of the project of about 12kms and rendered account to the villagers. He said while they engaged in the second phase of the remaining 11 kms stretch of road, they got information that the Etabang-Banyue road has been programmed under the Public Investment Projects under the Nguti Council.

Ngange said when they confronted the Chief that the road has been handed to the council, the chief refused and continued with the work. He said they told Chief Mayarh to instead divert the remaining funds of the project to another road rather than spending money on a road already programmed by the government.

Instead, he lamented that the chief told them to go to the highest authority and report the matter, while he continued with the project. According to the coordinator, from when government started working on the road, from their analysis, FCFA 8 million should be left in their coffers.

Ngange who is also CPDM Secretary General of Kupe Muanenguba II Section, Nguti, added that what irks them is the fact that when the second phase of the project started, Chief Mayarh kicked out those who worked with him in the first phase.

He said together with the treasurer of Banyue Elite Association, Ake Ngwaka Pius and the Secretary General, Ewenzo Patrick Etame, they were dropped out from affairs of the road project.

Meanwhile Ngolle Henry, disclosed that he initiated the road project by rallying Quarter Heads, chiefs of other villages and farmers and to contribute for the road project.

Ngolle disclosed that after raising FCFA 6 million, they carried it to Chief Mayarh in Douala and handed the money to him to show how serious they were for the project. He said cognizant of the fact that a certain FCFA 1.5 million contributed by their forefathers for the road project ended in private pockets without accomplishing the project, they decided to attach traditional rites to their contributions.

“We collectively agreed together with Chief Mayarh that if money for the road is tampered with, a traditional ban should be placed on the person who embezzles the money. Banyue Clan is crying today. We are in pains.” Ngolle lamented.

Chief Mayarh Defense

In his defense before the SDO, Chief Mayarh lamented that he has sacrificed his life, time and money for his people in the road project.

“I have crumbled my family because of this project. The Banyue Clan has witnessed great wickedness. A colleague was slaughtered and that is what they planned for me. I am 27 years on the throne. I was banned by my own elite. I don’t know who owns tradition” He cried

The chief said when the second phase of the project started, he didn’t have tangible proof to ascertain that the council has taken over the road through the public invest project.

He said when work started on the road, they discovered through the foreman man that the Mayor of Nguti Council, Tong George Enoh is the contractor of the road project.

Chief Mayarh said he has been struggling for the contractor to compensate them by grading another stretch of road to no avail. He said he had to gather tangible information before calling his people for a General Assembly. “I even called a meeting to explain issues to my people but could not attend because of urgency at my jobsite. Instead of my elite to listen to me, they are fighting me. I will soon go.” He added.

Delegate Clarifies

The Divisional Delegate of Public Works, Kupe Muanenguba, Shu Reny clarified that the Etabang-Banyue road was programmed at FCFA 30 million with funds from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, MINADER through Nguti Council.

He said when they realized that FCFA 30 million was small for the opening and grading of the road, they diverted the money to another road and instead programmed FCFA 80 million for the road.

Shu said they had no idea that the community has contributed money for the road. “We didn’t want to work on a road that has already been opened and graded by the community. Since the community has already done about 12 kms, we started work where there’s no road.” The delegate explained.

SDO Mitigates

After listening to all parties, Mungambo said the main problem was the lack of effective communication between Chief Mayarh and his elite.

He said the issue on ground is the embezzlement of funds for the second phase of the road project. He said Chief Mayarh would not have sacked those who worked with him in the first phase of the project but asked what they should do in the second phase. He questioned Councilor Asue George of Nguti Council, working in close collaboration with Chief Mayarh why they didn’t stop work on the second phase of the road when the council took over.

The SDO said the people of Mbo hinterland have suffered a lot because of lack of roads and they have the right to question the management of community funds.

He told Chief Mayarh and his crew to come up with a clear account on how the money was used. He pleaded with the elite to be patient and promised to redress the matter.

Mungambo then postponed the meeting to a later date. He promised that in the next meeting, the Mayor of Nguti Council, the Contractor and some elite shall be invited to the meeting to handle the matter.

By Olive Ejang