Beneficiaries are receiving FCFA 290 million in compensation, the fourth time the claims are being paid.

Displaced owners of property on the FCFA 8-billion new access way into Bamenda in the North West Region are jumping for joy with fourth instalment payments going on at the Regional Delegation of Urban Development and Housing since Thursday October 27 under the supervision of the Delegate, Asongwed Emmanuel. Beneficiaries are taking home a total FCFA 100 million this time after initial payments of FCFA 100 million in 2010, FCFA 50 million in 2009 and 40 million in 2008. The new by-pass runs from Government Reserved Area, GRA Up Station through the Cattle Market to PMI, Nkwen.

In all, 200 people have been lined up for compensation since the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (MINDUH) started budgeting for the displaced people who lost property to the construction of the 6-km road intended to decongest traffic into and out of Bamenda. Beneficiaries say they are grateful to the Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Clobert Tchatat for his prompt action in paying the money. So far, almost 90 per cent of claims have been settled as the exercise is due to end in 2012 with a total of FCFA 330 million expected to be paid.

Claims being settled include crops, ornamental trees, buildings and landed property with some beneficiaries fetching as much as FCFA 13 million. The exercise is the result of an evaluation carried out by a Mezam Divisional Commission led by the Senior Divisional Officer. While some displaced people have been investing the money in constructing new homes, others in Bayelle after collecting theirs, have refused to quit. Consequently, MINDUH officials have vowed to force them out.

In a related development, the company constructing the access road does not appear set to meet the November 15, 2011 deadline for completing its work. From the look of things, much still has to be done on gutters, polishing up the tar and pavements.