By Daniela Itoe Ngum
The Government Delegate to the Kumba City Council, KCC, Victor Ngoh Nkelle has noted that the ongoing socio-political crisis in the South West Region of the country is not only a major impediment towards the collection of local revenue, but also a great hurdle in the development of the Kumba municipality.
Ngoh Nkelle was speaking during the Kumba City Council’s administrative, management and stores accounts session that took place on Tuesday, April 16 at the council chambers, chaired by the 1st Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, ASDO for Meme, Joseph Nguime.
According to the Government Delegate, the socio-political crisis has drastically affected the smooth collection of internal revenue as most of their field workers are faced with daily menace of life especially at the Fiango market.
Ngoh Nkelle revealed that in terms of development, the current crisis has led to the suspension of important projects including; the construction of stores at the Buea Road Motor park, the World Bank project for the entire Kossala and Pullentin quarters, the African Development Bank project and the Public Investment Project for the tarring of the road from CPDM hall junction to the SDO’s residence.
The Government Delegate however noted that despite the insecurity challenges, some contractors have braved the odds, as the project for the tarring of road from RTC Junction to Bonakama is ongoing, for example.
Presenting the statistics, Victor Ngoh Nkelle disclosed that the sum of FCFA 1,866,800,000 was budgeted in 2018; FCFA 1,419,809,219 was collected given 76.05% realization, while the sum of FCFA 1,160,439,405 was spent on investment constituting 62.16% budget realization with excess revenue over expenditure of FCFA 259,369,814.
On her part, the 1stASDO said the 76.05% is higher than that of last year and the 62.16% quota spent on investment is higher than the 40% prescribed by the law.
The administrator further called on the Director of Administration and Finance, Solomon Agbor to ensure the replacement of workers who are due for retirement with immediate effect.
Projects executed in 2018 include; the extension and maintenance of electricity, construction of road networks, culverts and slabs, vehicles and equipment repairs, the purchase of office equipment and furniture, contribution to HYSACAM, continuation of the HIMO project, the construction of a public garden at the Town Green Round About. Also, construction of 80 market stalls both at the Fiango market and Kumba Main Market, signing a convention with FEICOM for the construction of the Mambanda Motor Park worth FCFA 778,362,986 while the construction of an ultra-modern market at Mambanda is still under studies at the level of FEICOM.
Grand councillors urge delegate to commence 4 Billion World Bank Project
Contrary to the Government Delegate to the Kumba City Council’s report on the suspension of the FCFA 4Billion World Bank project in the Kumba II municipality, the Mayor of the Kumba II Council, Martin Forcha Ndobegang noted that the World Bank project is still very much available. He said the project has been delayed because the Government Delegate has not paid the first instalment of FCFA 80million to commence the work. Mayor Ndobegang maintained that as soon as the money is paid the work will commence, else they risk losing it.
It is against this backdrop that grand councillors moved a motion authorizing the Government Delegate to ensure the payment of the first instalment in order not to lose such a giant project.