Heavy-duty trucks were this Tuesday, 4 March 2025, seen clearing the debris left behind by the arson attack that reduced the Bamenda III Council Ceremonial Hall to ashes in September 2023. This marked the commencement of the construction of a new and larger ceremonial hall aimed at restoring the municipality’s administrative infrastructure.
The project, awarded to Forbah and Sons Company Limited, is expected to be completed within five months. We have not been able to get details on the cost.
According to a post of the Council's Facebook page, once finished, the new hall will be fully equipped with banquet chairs and modern facilities, ensuring it meets the needs of the council and the local population.
The destruction of the Bamenda III Council Hall occurred in the early hours of 30 September 2023, leaving the community in shock and dismay. Eyewitnesses recounted how armed individuals arrived on motorcycles around 1 a.m., setting the newly renovated structure ablaze. Alerted by residents, security forces swiftly responded to the attack, engaging in an exchange of gunfire with the assailants.
Despite the intervention, the fire consumed the proceedings room and important documents before being contained. Fortunately, with the help of local residents, the flames did not spread to the main council building.
Following the incident, a thorough assessment was conducted by the Army Rescue Unit, the Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM), and key government ministries, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINHDU), the Ministry of Public Works (MINTP), and the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development (MINDDEVEL).
Determined to restore the facility, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe successfully lobbied for financial support from FEICOM to fund the reconstruction project. His efforts have now materialised with the commencement of works to erect a modern and bigger ceremonial hall, capable of serving the people of Bamenda III for years to come.
As construction progresses, the community remains hopeful that this new development will not only replace what was lost but produce something better
Hilltopvoices Team with pictures from Bamenda III Council Facebook page
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