Friday, December 18, 2020

Palace Releases "Kwihfor" After Robbery at Bessi Fomukong Abandonned Solar Plant

Palace Releases "Kwihfor" After Robbery at Bessi Fomukong Abandonned Solar Plant

The dreaded "Kwihfor" (a masquerade) known as "Eubo'oh" or "Eusop Inyii" has been released by the palace of Bessi Fomukong village in the Meta clan, Mbengwi to go after the culprits that recently stole six panels (plates) from the solar plant mounted in the village. The performance of the ritual was executed on Monday December 14 2020 at the plant site, located near Presbyterian Church, Bessi Fomukong Congregation.

The "Eubo'o" Otherwise Known As "Eusop Inyii" Being Released
Fomukong Wilfred, Fon's Brother

Fomukong Wilfred is a brother to the fon. He says seven days have been given after which the criminal shall face the consequences. To Chick Stephen Gwah, a youth in the village, the plant was to be beneficial to all especially the youths because many of his peers have migrated to town in order to have access to light to recharge their phones, watch TV etc but this particular robbery incidence has brought downfall unto the entire community.

Before carrying out the ritual, the villagers first met in the church hall to debate on whether or not it should be performed. Here, Mr Tangyi Ivo, the congregational chairman argued that there's no power above God's power and as such, he prefers prayers and won't be part of any such ritual. Some villagers too shared his opinion. Others stood firm that the ritual be performed. To Mr. Tamugri Isaac, a notable, if an example is not set, the perpetrators of the act will be back to steal more plates and thievery will continue to thrive in the village. 

Chick Stephen Gwah, Bessi Fomukong Youth

Villagers Debating on Whether to Perform the Ritual or Not

The arguments and counter arguments went on for long till the people's traditional ruler was finally given the floor to have the last say on the bone of contention. H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred first clarified his subjects on the ritual that's to be performed which to him isn't devilish but rather to sanction criminals just as courts and prisons are there to instill law and order in society without which many will do whatever they wish because of no consequences. 

Having passed his judgement that the ritual has to be performed, he then led the villagers to the plant site, though not all followed as some stayed back to observe from afar. These were the "religious" ones. A fresh plantain leave was brought and placed at the entrance into the plant and an ancient partially broken gong removed from a frightful antiquity-like bag and placed on the leaf. Then the traditional ruler poured some water in his cup (a horn) which he held with his left hand and uttered curses on the thief while pouring the water on the gong lying on the leaf. Mbengwi Online learnt that this particular "Kwihfor" is known as "Eubo'o" or "Eusop Inyii" and usually when it reacts based on the curses uttered by the fon, the consequences are usually devastating on the victim it's directed to harm.


The Bessi Fomukong Solar Plant, Abandoned at the Verge of Completion

Tifuangob Valentine, Tonebessi Quarter Head

Tifuangob Valentine is the quarter head of Tonebessi quarter and a  notable in the village. On behalf of the beneficiary population, he said "We are pleading on the contractor, his workers and all those concerned with the project to help us finish it." He thinks that the robbery incidence won't have taken place if the project had been completed and put to use. He estimates that about 600 - 1.000 households would've been enjoying solar energy had it been the plant had gone operational.   

To His Royal Highness Fomukong Wilfred, the fon of the village, it's frustrating. He said; "I'm really frustrated and angry with this robbery and the abandonment of the project because my people are migrating out of the village due to no light. Much development would've followed had it been the solar project was completed and put to use. Jobs would've been created like grinding mills and weldering workshops. More over living standards would've been improved." Talking about access to the contractor said to be  Ngyen-Mbo man, a son of the soil, the fon said he saw him only once and all efforts to reach him on phone for verification about why the project has been abandoned at the verge of completion for commencement of utilisation have ended futile.

ADVERT👇👇👇

Father Christmas Lands at God's Time Enterprise, Mile 18 Mbengwi. Special Christmas & New Year Promotion. All Prices Slashed. For All Your Electronic Needs, Just Go To God's Time, Pick n Pay

In 2012, a solar electrification project was awarded to Bessi Fomukong village thanks to Sino-Cameroon relationship. The execution phase slowly went on till early 2017 when the Anglophone Crisis heightened. By now 120 panels and 12 cells (batteries) has been installed and the plant fenced with barb wires. The workers then disappeared leaving the villagers confused.

In November 2019, Mbengwi Online reported on the abandonment of the project. The then Canal 2 English TV station in Douala also picked up the story. Weeks after the reports were published, the workers resurfaced with materials like poles and cables and immediately got to work. The poles were planted across all the quarters and supply cables too connected.  Hopes were high that finally, they too will start enjoying modernism. Unfortunately, reality has been different from expectations

Poles & Cables But No Light

Since much wattage is  to be produced  than the beneficiary village could consume, the supply line was extended to the neighbouring village of Chenam. What was left was just to start tapping the energy from the roadside cables and sending to homes plus installation of metres. Yet, it was again abandoned since then till date. The people have the plant, transportation poles and connection cables but no light. 

Someone somewhere should certainly be the reason why this village is still not having light despite the near completion of the multimillion solar project. Interestingly, a new rural electrification project was again awarded to the very Bessi Fomukong village by the government a couple of years back. The project entails sending light to Bessi from G.R.A Mbengwi and also from Mile 20 to Barakwe, Wumnebit and Chenam. So, Chenam and Bessi Fomukong will have two energy sources if both projects come to fruition. 






5 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks for reading. Keep following Mbengwi Online forore updates from home

      Delete
  2. Thank you for always feeding us powerfully

    ReplyDelete
  3. Its such a pity, but reality. Such happens in the entire nation but no action is taken by anybody. Only God has the final say.

    ReplyDelete