Farmers from Touncho in Babessi, Ngoketunjia Division, have called upon their traditional ruler, HRH Yiemou Oliver Nsondonembue II, to intervene in a growing dispute over the Tsefor Rice farm, which they claim is being threatened by land grabbers.
“We, the Touncho people, are calling on our able Fon to help us resolve these issues before they get out of hand,” the Babessi farmers told MMI.
The Tsefor rice farm, established by the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority (UNVDA) in 1982, was abandoned during the economic crisis.
It was reopened in 2010 by local farmers under UNVDA’s supervision.
They worked without any issue until recently when a woman came forward claiming ownership of the land.
“At the beginning of this farming season, one mother came in to claim the rice farm that belongs to her,” the Babessi farmers explained.
The matter was brought before the Touncho Quarter Council, which initially ruled in the woman’s favor.
However, the farmers believe that the council’s judgment was biased, as some of its members are reportedly related to the woman.
This perceived conflict of interest has led them to seek the Fon’s intervention, as they feel the council is incapable of delivering justice.
“They decided to give the rice farm to her. The farmers even tried to name some of the old farmers still alive, but all fell on deaf ears,” the farmers continued.
The dispute has caused a rift within the council itself, with some members supporting the woman and others opposing her claim.
This division has been so severe that the council’s secretary, Fuseh Napoleon, refused to document the judgment.
The chairman of the Touncho Quarter Council, Tita Victor, and the quarter head of Touncho, Ntoh Nsochue, are reportedly at odds with the secretary, creating further discord.
Given the situation, the farmers see the intervention of Fon Yiemou Oliver Nsondonembue II as their only hope for a fair resolution.
They argue that the council’s decision was influenced by favoritism and a conflict of interest.
“Now the councillors are divided; some are for the mother while others are against, to the extent that their secretary refused to write the judgement decision,” the farmers said.
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