Great Soppo Chief Accused of Frustrating Borehole Project To Quench Community’s Thirst

The traditional ruler of Great Soppo Chiefdom in Buea, Fako division of the South West region, Chief, HRH Etina Monono has been accused of frustrating a borehole project meant to address the problem of acute water scarcity in the community.

The initiative is said to be spearheaded by some youths of Quarter 13 in Great Soppo. They are said to have planned to drill water for supply to thousands of homes in Great Soppo.

Sources say the Quarter Head, Ekema Benjamin, who was not involved in planning the project informed Chief Etina about developments.

According to residents of Quarter 13, Enow Ayuk, “We were summoned to the Molyko Police station last Wednesday, February 1, 2022 to answer some queries regarding the construction of the borehole. To our greatest surprise on our arrival, we were requested to provide statements on whose accounts we went ahead with the project. Later on, we were asked to bail ourselves of which we paid 50,000 FCFA each. We realised the chief had ordered for our arrest for carrying on with the project”.

A meeting brokered by the Commissioner of the Molyko Police station to seek lasting solution to the matter ended amicably, a source said, adding that things later turned sour moments after.

“After that meeting during which we all agreed to work together with the Quarter Head and the chief, and we paid 50,000frs for the Commissioner’s fuel, we were surprised that the chief once again ordered for the arrest of three workers of the drilling firm who were onsite working. They were forced to sign documents to terminate the whole drilling process,” Enow added.

The borehole project was already at an advanced stage of completion. But following the tension, the company charged with the drilling backed out. According to impeccable sources, the remaining equipment of the borehole company was removed Tuesday, February 8.

All attempts to speak to the chief and Quarter Head proved futile. Chief Etina Monono, it should be noted, is one of the three chiefs representing Fako Division in the Southwest Regional Assembly.