The Last Hope

Scene One [1994—1997]

47 Act Two Scene One [1994—1997] Late afternoon. CHIEF KITOK’s palace. Present are CHIEF KITOK, CHIEF EFABA, MOTIA, ASU, ERA and EKO. CHIEF KITOK: My long-time friend, Chief Efaba of Eyuma. Other representatives of Eyuma and Korup. You are all welcome to this very crucial meeting. ALL: Thank you, Chief. CHIEF KITOK: I will like all of you to stand up and introduce yourselves, one after another. Or do I need to introduce myself first? Is there anyone who does not know my name? Hands up, if you don’t know my name. [ASU and MOTIA put up their hands.] What a shame! A popular Chief like me? The first Tax Collector in the whole region? A Chief whose name you can find in official records from the days of D.O. Edgerton? His Royal Highness Chief Kitok Ekaka IV of Korup? [A thunderous applause. Smiling elatedly.] Thank you. [Applause.] Thank you. [...] Thank you. Now, introduce yourselves. Beginning from my left. MOTIA [Stands up.]: I am Motia, from Eyuma. Invitee. Applause. ASU: My father named me Asu Asu-Tam-Tam. But my friends call me Asu Boy. I am the Secretary General of Eyuma Development Association. 48 Applause. EKO: My name is Eko. Quarter Head, Korup Traditional Council. Applause. ERA: Mr. Era is my name. Popularly known as Lawyer. Honourable Secretary General, Korup Development Association. Applause. CHIEF KITOK: Thank you all for the brief introduction. As I have mentioned, this meeting is very crucial. Last week my friend sent me a note about an important issue and we met and discussed briefly. And we felt that we should get your own views. Chief Efaba Ayukem, will you, please, throw some light on the issue. CHIEF EFABA: Thank you, Chief Kitok Ekaka IV. [A pause.] My country people, it was one fine afternoon. Early last week. I was sitting on my veranda enjoying my son’s children and their friends playing around. Suddenly, the children ran to me, frightened. Then I saw a long bearded man coming. He handed me this letter [Removes a letter from his shirt pocket.] Asu, take this. [ASU walks up and collects the letter.] The story is that there is a timber company that is interested in Eyuma and Korup Forests. ERA: Timber Company? EKO: Those people again? 49 MOTIA: What is wrong? ASU: I can’t understand why you guys should react in that manner. Don’t you know how much development timber companies have brought to this country? ERA: Do you mean the poor roads and the unfulfilled promises to local people? Or the negative impact of their activities that the local people endure after they leave? You can think of acute water shortages. Increased crop damage by elephants. What about...eh...eh...eh….All this happened in the second play that was performed to us some years ago. ASU: You believe in a story presented in a play? ERA: It’s not an imaginary story, if that’s what you mean. It also happened in some villages not far away. You doubt? My own man, you lack proper education! ASU: Lack what? Do you know what you are saying? I am the Secretary General of my…. ERA: Stop bragging here. I am a Secretary General, too. And let me tell you, Secretary Generals fall in different categories. ASU: What do you mean? CHIEF KITOK: Gentlemen, we have come here to discuss, not to quarrel. CHIEF EFABA: Asu, I would like you to read that letter for everyone to understand. 50 ASU: Chief, I don’t think I’d like to read it. Let…let…let him take it and read. CHIEF EFABA [In an imperious tone.]: I am asking you to read, Asu. Silence. ASU stands up and opens the letter. ASU [Reading.]: Dear Chief and people of Eyuma, I am pleased to inform you that my company has just received a licence from the Government to carry out exploitation in your forest, including that of your neighbouring Korup quarter that falls outside the Korup National Park. EKO: A licence? From Government? ERA: Unbelievable, Eko. How can the same Government that sent us a Conservation Project some years ago now include our forest for exploitation by a timber company? Are you sure that there is no error somewhere? CHIEF KITOK: I am also surprised. But since this concerns the development of our area, well…. ASU sits down, still...