Demolition order hangs over "Kumba kiosk"

A 48-hour quit order issued by the Mayor to the Kumba I Council, Abel Ebako Ndoh, dated September 5, 2014, remains hanging over Kumba’s foremost newspaper kiosk, aka Press Centre, following growing public disapproval of the Councils’ decision.

According to the content of the quit order Ref No. 108/KIC/2014, the Kumba I Council is requesting the newspaper vendor, Calvain Djouaka, to quit his occupation of a portion of land in the front area of the former Taxation building to ease new construction work without hindrance.

The Mayor further writes that, considering that Djouaka has not been paying thorough fare to the Kumba I Council since 2010, he should treat the situation with urgency to avoid future embarrassments.

Besides, the Mayor states that, the newspaper vendor has refused to pay a bill of FCFA 144,000 served him on June 11, 2014 with Ref no.0212/KIC/06/2014.

Responding to the quit order through a correspondence dated September 8, 2014 addressed to the Mayor Kumba I Council and copied the to Senior Divisional Officer, SDO Meme, David Koulbout Aman, Government Delegate Kumba City Council, Victor Nkelle Ngoh and the Divisional Officer, DO for Kumba I, Charles Duala Fomumbod, the newspaper vendor described the 48-hour quit order as insufficient.

Djouaka in his reply points out that, he obtained authorisation No.KUC/1204/Vol II/138 of 16/09/2001 from the defunct Kumba Urban Council before occupying the present location.

He is praying the authorities concerned to give him considerable time during which, a mutually agreed location would be sought, given that the sales of newspapers is best carried out by the roadside. On the issue of tax evasion, the vendor brandished bundles of receipts to the effect that, he is up to date with the Taxation Department.

The Kumba “Press Centre” remains a vital source for official information concerning current events, recruitment and other official documents for the populations of Ndian, Meme, Lebialem, Kupe-Muanenguba and Manyu Divisions of the Southwest Region.