The population of Limbe came out today in large numbers to protest the ceding of the Bimbia Slave Trade Site to Business Mogul, Eric Igwacho of Gilga Tours. In a strongly worded communiqué addressed to the Prime Minister of Cameroon, the Mayor of Limbe III Municipality, Eseke Luma, expressed “great bewilderment” at the alleged ceding of the Bimbia Slave Trade Site to Gilgal Tours for a 50-year period. The mayor, speaking on behalf of the council, traditional authorities, and local denizens, condemned the move as a betrayal of the site’s historic and cultural essence.
The letter further highlights the exclusion of Limbe III Municipality and the traditional authorities of Bimbia from the decision-making process, calling the announcement of the project “confidential” and undermining the custodianship of the local community. The mayor stressed that the site’s importance as a sacred ancestral ground must remain intact and not be compromised for private profits.
The controversy came to light following the circulation of an invitation by Gilgal Tours LLC for a foundation stone laying ceremony on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mkpatt, will patron the event. It aims to commemorate a development project purportedly aligned with the government’s “Grand Ambitions” initiative to promote tourism.
Heritage Site at Risk
The Bimbia Slave Trade Site stands as a National Heritage Site, carrying deep significance for returnee slave descendants and the Cameroonian people. The site stands as a “place of bloodshed and pain, betrayal and death,” and people regard it as sacred ground for spiritual reflection and cultural reverence. The mayor’s letter underscores the community’s discontent, noting that any developmental project must respect the integrity and sanctity of the site.
The communiqué further criticizes Gilgal Tours for its lack of prior developmental contributions to Limbe III Municipality, stating that its interest in the site raises questions about the company’s intentions. The letter also calls for the urgent pursuit of World Certification for the site, improved road infrastructure, and reinforced local management to safeguard its heritage.
The Bimbia Slave Trade Site has long been a symbol of Cameroon’s commitment to preserving its historical legacy. However, thick forests and wilderness have largely taken over the area. Popular opinion hold that the development initiative of Gilga Tours would have been accurate if the CEO followed due diligence, which is prior information to the community.
