Buea: mayor demolishes about 25 houses in Buea town
The Mayor of Buea, David Mafany Namange had promised a demolition exercise to houses owners who had built houses on water ways.
The March 18 flood further pushed this decision forward especially after the February 19, 2023 promise he had made to the poeple to keep them safe by destroying houses constructed in risk zones. After his visit to the victims of the recent flood, the Mayor reminded the victims that their houses were found in risk zones.
The demolition exercise effectively started this February 20, 2023 in Buea town with more than 25 houses so far demolished. The Mayor, accompanied by council workers, were present in the field to ensure that the job was properly done.
“They have taken down all our names though I still even do not know why. They asked about my age, those of my siblings and how many of us are there. They also asked about properties destroyed and I told them everything. They did same with all the victims and we are here waiting to see their reason for asking,” a person whose house was demolished said.
“I am here today to ensure that all works here go well and every house around water ways must be brought down. This is exactly what I would have done long ago to avoid such calamity. It is quite unfortunate it took us lives to realize we had to do this. I am really sorry for the pain this has caused you all. We have assured all the victims that we will take care of most of their expenses especially the ones in the hospital” Mayor David Mafany Namange promised.
“We are pleading with the people to send us helping hands. We are homeless and I still cannot really forget how that young girl died and how water carried our mother far from home. We are in so much pain. Dresses that we are wearing now are from our mothers,” Mary Namondo, a flood victim said.
The Mayor has said the demolition exercise will take several days and he will only be satisfied when all buildings around water ways are brought down.
He also said the funeral expenses of baby Irene who died will be taken care of. The funeral program of 10-year-old Irene is scheduled to take place this February 20, 2023 at the Buea town parish. The corpse will be removed from Mount Mary hospital at 2pm with a mass at the cathedral. Burial will follow after the mass and her remains will be burried at the cathedral cemetery.
