By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The councilors of the Buea Council have, during the second ordinary council session devoted to the examination and adoption of the draft budget for the 2018 fiscal year, adopted the sum of FCFA 2,258,190,000 for the development of the municipality in 2018.
The budget witnesses a 10% increase from that of the previous year which stood at FCFA 2,052,900,000.
The budget adoption was supervised by the 1st deputy SDO for Fako, Benjini William Richard Otto II, who called on councilors to be united in fostering development in their municipality.
Mayor Ekema Patrick Esunge said, the Buea council though endowed with rich resources has had to grapple with the undeclared backing out of some, feet-dragging of some and the counter mechanization of others. “Our perception of this can be likened to vehemently mounting speed brakes to retard our unstoppable progress”.
The mayor reassured that the Buea council has made giant strides “Amidst all the machinations by secessionists since last year, the ugliest being the religiously observed ghost town, which rocked the Division and the rest of the regions since November 2016. However, the situation at the moment is calm as the much talked about ghost town in the municipality has died down due to various measures put in place”.
In terms of revenue collection, Mayor Ekema Patrick noted that, “the council intends to make efficient use of her human resources to amplify follow up on locally collected taxes and liaise with the taxation department to intensify door-to-door controls”.
Four newly purchased pick-up vehicles were presented to the councilors which are going to help with the mobility of council personnel in the discharge of their duties.
Mayor Ekema also presented to the councilors, a newly constructed Library which he said will be equipped subsequently with modern technology.
It is worth mentioning that 2018 budget has witnessed a 55.72% increase 2012 and the council has always boasted of a realization rated of more that 65% since then.