Bilongue inhabitants protest occupation of land reserved for hospital
The population of Bilongue in the Douala III municipality are protesting the occupation of a 250msq piece of land in the locality by a man called Daniel Defonkou who claims he bought it and is in possession of its documents.
According to the inhabitants, the land belongs to the state and no individual can claim ownership of it.
They also explain it was reserved for the construction of a hospital desperately needed by the population of Bilongue and its environs.
Locals brandished placards denouncing what they qualify as illegal occupation of a land belonging to the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure.
“This particular piece of land was occupied by locals here. Several years ago, agents sent by the Ministry of Land Tenure arrived and evicted the people who contributed to buy the land. Their houses were demolished with the hope of erecting a hospital here as we were told. So, we don’t understand how an individual will be claiming he bought part of the land” Emmanuel Talla, the Bilongue neighborhood head wonders.
What provoked the population was the start of a construction project on the land by Daniel Defonkou. They vowed to compel him stop the project and to leave the land like the others did when they were first evicted.
“There is no need for Mr. Defonkou to wrestle with us. The facts are there. This land has been reserved purposely for a hospital project. No one has a right over it. Let him kindly evacuate” the neighborhood leader adds.
Arriving the scene, the accused debunked statements he illegally occupies the land and stated confidently, that he bought the land and was issued a land certificate:
“I will not succumb to any form of intimidation. I bought the land with my money and I am in possession of a land certificate. I will continue with my construction project. No one will stop me.”
The inhabitants of Bilongue insisted he should present them the land documents he talks about and who sold him the land but the accused has so far refused to present the said documents.
