Limbe 3 Chiefs decry bad roads, gov’t abandonment

The traditional rulers of the Bimbia, Limbe III subdivision have decried that their roads leading to the area have been abandoned by the Government.

While targeting the government on the issue, the chiefs explained how Mboko II, Mbomo I, Mbomo II, and Kange have gone through “hell” to transport themselves, and goods to Limbe and vice versa.

“Our Sub-Division has been abandoned by the Government of Cameroon when it comes to developmental projects like roads. The above road project was awarded in 2022 and was to be completed in (10) Ten months. The contractor did 50% of the job up to the junction at CHOP FARM in front of the gendarmerie office and decided to carry his equipment away. During the just ending rainy season the population of Limbe III in Dikolo, Mabeta CDC, MABETA Fishing Port, ISEME Fishing Port, Mboko I,” they said.

They further stated that “The CDC with huge palms and rubber plantation in Mabeta has gone through hell to transport their produce to their mills and factories in Tiko and Idenau. The Limbe III Council which now collects revenue from tourists visiting the slave trade village in Dikolo has not been able to collect a franc during the past six months because no tourists get to the Slave Trade Village because of the very bad road,”.

The Bimbia Slave Trade site is a former slave port located in the Limbe 3 sub-division, in the Southwest region of Cameroon. It is estimated by historians to be the largest slave port in Africa, having relics of activities that took place there during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Besides its historical treasure, it stands tall as a potential touristic destination if well preserved.

According to figures reported by African American researcher and political scientist, Dr. Lisa Aubrey, over 200 ships transported slaves off the coast of Bimbia to different locations around the world.

The Bimbia slave site is now in ruins although it was the largest slave route from West Africa according to the African American Researcher also a Fulbright scholar at the University of Yaounde I.

Many African Americans whose ancestry has been traced to Cameroon through DNA, are said to have been taking a trip to the Bimbia Slave Trade Site to reconnect with their roots, the place from where their ancestors originated. During such trips, they are said to get the chance to find healing from the sad history of their past and trace their roots and families in Cameroon.

“We are begging the Government to come to our rescue and do a good job on this road. The Limbe III subdivision has been supporting the CPDM Party of President PAUL BIYA. Is this bad road the reward for our loyalty to the party in power?” the Traditional Chiefs questioned.