Asapngu threatens court action against Kumba II Mayor, Councillor

Social Democratic Front, SDF, National Organising Secretary and Councillor of the Kumba II Council, Ferdinand Asapngu, has threatened to engage in a legal battle with the Mayor of Kumba II Council, Martin Forcha Ndobegang and Councillor Jean Foupa, against what he termed unfounded accusations.

Asapngu made the declaration on December 16, at the Kumba II Council Hall, during deliberations on the 2015 Council budget, overseen by the Meme Senior Divisional Officer, David Koulbout Aman.

Asapngu, who is former Mayor of the Kumba II Council, took exceptions when Councillor Jean Foupa concluded a committee report, stating that members of the Infrastructure Committee, to which Asapngu is also a member, frowned at him (Asapngu) for holding secret meetings with commercial bike riders, instigating them not to pay the global tax to the Council.

In reaction, the former Mayor drew the attention of the SDO that; he could not swallow such accusations on his person and integrity. He told the supervisory authority that he was going to drag Foupa and his Mayor (Ndobegang) to Court on grounds that it was not the first time such accusations were levelled at him.

When the SDO asked to know the source of the information, Foupa said the information was aired on a local radio station in Kumba.

The SDO, thus, ordered the Special Branch Police Commissioner to investigate into the allegations. Koubout, on the other hand, urged Asapngu not to take any legal action when investigations are still underway.

The SDO urged the Councillors to take the accusations levelled against Asapngu with reservations, since the facts have not yet been established.

Mayor Ndobegang, on his part, supported the SDO’s idea for investigations to be opened into the matter and also urged his Councillors to maintain their calm.

Attack On Service Heads

Meanwhile, during the Council session, Asapngu decried the unusual presence of many Divisional Delegates at the session, arguing that their historic attendance was fuelled by personal interest, especially with Christmas around the corner.

Asapngu urged the SDO to call the Divisional Delegates to order because, according to him, the Government officials are no longer performing their technical roles to the Councils. Most of them, he went on, attended the Council session to raise money for their children’s needs rather than contribute to development.

Talking on the FCFA 770 million budget adopted for 2015, Mayor Ndobegang explained that his Council has opened up more revenue-generating avenues. Top among them, he declared, is an agreement with the Kumba City Council where his Kumba II Council will benefit 50 percent from all building permits proceeds issued in Kumba II.

Ndobegang equally cited the creation of a new cemetery, among others, as justification for the increase in projected revenue. Projected investment revenue for the Council stands at FCA 530 million, while FCFA 240 million will be used as recurrent expenses.