Meme SDO Implicated In Scandal Over Sales Of 200 Plots At Barombi-Kang - David Amen Koulbout May Have 400 Million In His Account

By IO Fossung

It is on record that all those who have manned the helm of Meme Division have had secret agendas Chronicle has been told. Before Abath Zangwalla Magloire left Kumba some 2 years ago, allegations were rife that he had enriched himself through the massive/unorthodox sale of land at Upstation. When David Aman Koulbout came, Meme residents thought the old order would be eschewed. Last week, Chronicle learnt that the SDO had made at least 400 million FCFA for some 200 plots he had sold. That the Meme Senior Divisional Officer, SDO even without the consent of traditional and other local authorities, had been bent in his move.

The land in question, Chronicle has been told, is the new layout found at Barombi-Kang, within the Kumba III sub divisional council area. It is unclear whether the Kumba III Divisional Officer, DO and Mayors respectively are aware about the deal; which Chronicle gathered, fetched the SDO some 2 million FCFA per plot.

A source at the SDO’s office hinted Chronicle on grounds of anonymity that even if Koulbout is sent on retirement or transferred from Kumba, he will not have anything to regret. Chronicle was further told that after the departure of Zangwalla, the new SDO has had to exploit other avenues to reap: the Barombi-Kang new layout being his zones; where for each plot, he allegedly pockets some 2 million FCFA unquestioned.

Worthy to note, that his immediate predecessor Abath Zangwalla also allegedly sold a vast surface area of the Kumba station, and ‘pocketed’ the proceeds. Zangwalla is even quoted to have ployed-back, erecting mansions and even a hotel around the CCAS Kumba neighbourhood entrance. His critics pinpoint that he did so, given that he knew he was to go on retirement. But then, the presidential decree that fell instead transferred him to the Upper Sanaga Division in the Centre Region.

2 years after the June 15, 2010 presidential decree, another has been expected. This is moreso because of the upliftment of three (3) SDOs to the ranks of Governors- Awah Fonka Augustine in Extreme North; Okalia Bilai Bernard in South West and Nijiyawa Bakari in the West Region. Implicitly, three divisions have been for the past 4 months without SDOs.

Apart from replacing these three, the expected presidential decree would be expected to promote some DOs and secretary generals at governors officers. They would become SDOs to replace even those overdued retirement, like the SDOs for Momo, Donga/Mantung, Upper Sanaga divisions and a host of others.

It is unclear whether Aman David Koulbout, the SDO for Meme would be retired or transferred. Chronicle gathered that before quitting Mayo-Danay in same capacity, he had nothing as legacy. The official retirement age of administrators is 55. Chronicle gathered that like Zangwalla, Koulbout may just be on his way. Reason why allegations are rife that he has indulged in the sales of some 200 plots at the Barombi-kang new layout, so as to prepare self the unexpected.

An expert confided in Chronicle that though there is need to expand the Kumba city, Koulbout’s move is amiss. Accordingly, land is supposed to be reserved for social needs; that for an SDO to convert such land to reap for himself is a criminal offence, which he could be brought back after quitting to face the wrath of justice (affair a suivre…)