By NOELA EBOB BISONG
The Mayor of the Douala I Municipality Jean Jacques Lengue Malapa has stated that his council shall continue to collect car parking fees within its municipality, according to the regulations in force.
The Mayor made public his intention in a press release dated June 27, 2019, following the violent clash between his workers and the council police of the Douala City Council earlier that same day.
Mayor Malapa expressed great regret and surprise of the use of what he termed ‘inappropriate means’ by the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone, to prohibit the regular activities of the Douala I municipal council, especially in relation to the paid parking and the towing of vehicles on public roads.
The Mayor of Douala I, in the press release, reminds economic operators and users of his council’s territorial jurisdiction that, in accordance with Law No. 2004-18 of July 22, 2004 laying down the rules applicable to the municipalities, parking facilities in his municipality continue to be done by agents committed for the said purpose, who are identified by service orders and badges of the Douala I council.
According to the Mayor, “The platform of collaboration between the CUD / CAD of Douala dated March 15, 2013 had reiterated and published that the tax of car parks is the competence of the sub-divisional councils”.
The clash between workers of the Douala I Council and Council Police of the Douala City Council which occurred at the Bonanjo neighbourhood, followed a communiqué signed on June 26, 2019, by the government delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone temporarily prohibiting the sale of car parking tickets. According to the communiqué, the reason for the suspension is for a modern system to be put in place and also to bring about order in the city of Douala. The disagreement between the Douala I Council workers and the municipal police of the City Council soon turned violent, leaving several persons injured as well as the destruction of properties.