The first Ngondo General Assembly meeting for 2012 was organised on Saturday.

The Sawa cultural gathering known as Ngondo has announced the imminent construction of an ultramodern Cultural Complex in the port city of Douala. The Sawa people, elite and traditional chiefs took the decision during its 2012 first ordinary General Assembly meeting at Salle des Fetes in Akwa on Saturday, March 10.

The complex, it was disclosed, will host the annual Ngondo festival, important traditional and cultural meetings as well as play important touristic function. The complex will be constructed near Pont Joss in Bonanjo, a piece of land offered by President Paul Biya for the purpose. It discussed, among others, the site allotted for the construction of a cement plant, Dangote Industries Cameroon Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian Dangote Group. Ngondo President, His Royal Highness Din Dika Akwa III, said the site occupied by the company was a heritage of the Sawa people, especially used during Ngondo festivities, and thus they will not afford to lose it. They expressed thanks to the government for halting work on the site.

Sawa elite said the space allocated for the cement plant on the borders of River Wouri, specifically at Base ELF, was meant for the construction of an Urban Park as part of the land belong to the Douala City Council, a section to the Port Authority of Douala. In another vein the Sawa Chiefs say is by hereditary Ngondo’s and can only be used for that cultural purpose.

Speaking in his capacity as Sawa elite and Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Dr. Fritz Ntone Ntone, told reporters that the City Council has a cultural partnership with Ngondo, reason for its involvement in the 2011 Ngondo festivities. He revealed that the City Council will participate in the construction of the complex, as well as offer technical and material support.