Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure visited Babessi last Thursday.

“You are not alone because the nation, President Biya and First Lady, Chantal Biya stand by the Babessi flood Victims. Leave the flood basin area and resettle on the new site for your security”. That is the message delivered by the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, Jacqueline Koung à Bessike, to victims of the Babessi floods in Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region on October 18, 2012.

The victims who acknowledged that their tears have been wiped several times since the floods of September 9, 2012, had another opportunity to jump for joy when the visiting minister, offered them FCFA one million cash , bags of rice, salt and bars of soap, among other items, in her show of solidarity in their hour of pain.

Minister Jacqueline Koung à Bessike told the victims that government is working to make their stay at the new settlement site in the neighbourhood of Nchingong, comfortable with social facilities. The minister earlier sized up work on the site. Respective technical services took turns to update the minister on developments to resettle the population quickly. It was against this backdrop that the Divisional Delegate of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure told the Minister that the 40 hectares of land to resettle the victims had already been demarcated with pillars and survey work was about to start for the layout leading to distribution of plots to the population, free of charge.

It emerged from the visit that some schools will be relocated from the flood basin to the new site. Roads will be opened while water and electricity will be installed alongside healthcare facilities. Farming will be made easier. The Babessi floods of September 9, 2012 destroyed farms and some 59 houses belonging to some 95 people from 26 families. Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique accompanied minister Koung à Bessike to Babessi.