The newly elected president of the Limbe Chiefs Conference, HRH Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel, has called on the government to expedite the construction of the long-promised Limbe deep seaport.
Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel, the traditional ruler of Dikolo village, assumed the presidency during a meeting held at the Wovia Palace on Monday, February 5, to serve a two-year mandate. The new executive includes Chief Victor Musuka as Vice President, Chief Ngale Bruno retained as Secretary General, Chief Esombe D. Nayombe as Treasurer, and Chief Motia M. Motia as Financial Secretary.
Outgoing President HRH Dikanjo George expressed satisfaction with the handover ceremony, stating, “I have been for two years, and it’s now over. So with our own system, we have two years, and after two years, we hand over to the next person.”
He acknowledged the significance of the incoming president, Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel, highlighting his experience as a former president, which positions him to address any perceived errors within the Limbe Chiefs Conference.
Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel, responding to questions about his plans as the new president, emphasised his commitment to fostering unity among traditional rulers, acknowledging the existing split among them.
“Limbe 1 had their mandate for two years. They handed it over to Limbe 2, and they are now outgoing. And then the incoming now is Limbe 3. And the Limbe 3 Chiefs selected me to represent them as the president in the new seat as president of Limbe Chiefs,” said the incoming president.
He acknowledged the divisive impact of political intervention and stressed the need for collaboration among chiefs for the overall development of Limbe.
Addressing the government, Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel urged politicians to refrain from interfering in chieftaincy matters and called for developmental support.
“We advise our politicians, and we put pressure to bear on the government of this country on matters that we need for development in our area, that we do not force our government. We put pressure to bear on our government to give us what we want developmentally and not politically,” he asserted.
Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel emphasized the need for concrete action to match the assurances by referring specifically to the long-awaited Limbe deep-sea port.
“The government has been promising about the deep-sea port here in Limbe for years. We know. And this time around, they have been hammering it. But for us, I, for one, I believe what I see… if the government is sure that they are not deceiving us, let them start the job. Let them start the job,” he emphasized.
The newly elected president also highlighted the challenges faced by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), one of the oldest corporations in the country and the second-largest employer. He called on the government to address the issues impeding the CDC’s operations, emphasising the corporation’s significant role in the region’s economic landscape.
In a plea, Chief Epupa Ekum Samuel addressed the ongoing conflicts in the North and South West Regions, urging the government to employ its “strong armour” to bring an end to the protracted unrest that has claimed thousands of lives over the years.
