By Noela Ebob Bisong
Some councils as well as Contractors in Fako division, South west region of Cameroon have requested the need for them to be accompanied by the military to their various project sites, in order for them to successfully carry out their activities.
This plea was echoed during the first quarter participatory divisional committee meeting for the follow-up of the execution of the 2019 Public Investment Budget (PIB) in Fako, which held on Thursday, April 25 at the premises of the Limbe I Council.
Projects in most areas in Fako, especially in Muyuka have remained stagnant due to the current interference by alleged separatist fighters and the absence of the needed security, which has got many contractors to abandon projects for fear of harassment, intimidation, extortion and even death.
Opening the meeting, chairperson, Hon Etombi Ikome Gladys expressed the need for the effective implementation of the PIB for the improvement of the welfare of the population, by realizing projects on time.
She reiterated the fact that the meeting was meant to evaluate for each vote holder the progress made, identify main constraints and set up basis for improvement.
According to the divisional delegate of the ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Ngwa Edielle, the PIB for the division witnessed an 82.98% execution rate for 2018, while listing some uncompleted projects such as the project to rehabilitate the residence of the Senior Divisional Officer considered now as abandoned and the GSS Owe road in Muyuka which is still ongoing. Other council projects of 2018 still to be completed include the construction of two classrooms at GBPS Muea under Buea council, construction of block latrines in Idenau, road maintenance in Limbe I etc. The delegate maintained that factors like the location, itinerary, changes and abandonment etc, remain reasons for the delay in the completion of the projects.
For the award situation of 2019, Ngwa Edielle explained that there are 16 Programme Projects of which 16 draft tender files have been received. He said 8 contracts have been awarded (50%) none signed yet, but will be done so in the days ahead. For the administrative services, there are 41 projects with currently an execution rate of 1.29%.
Out of the 7 divisional councils, representatives of 4 councils were present during the meeting, who took turns to present the execution level of their various councils. All 10 projects of the Idenau Council are still in award procedure, of Limbe I’s 18 projects, at least 8 have already been awarded, the files for the execution of Muyuka Council’s 17 projects are at the level of the tenders board, while Limbe II Council has awarded a few of its 19 projects while the rest is in the award procedure. The other councils of the division were not represented.
The chairperson, Hon Etombi expressed great dissatisfaction over the laxity in the execution of the 2018 uncompleted projects, reminding of the fact that once the financial year is closed; it cannot be revisited for credits to be paid. She was also disturbed with the fact that some contractors who had hitherto abandoned projects have again been awarded new contracts, as in the case of the Limbe I Council. The absence of Mayors at the PIB meeting is another factor which the chairperson again frowned at.
However, Hon Etombi urged all stakeholders to remain committed in their duties so as to ensure that the Fako community benefits from the PIB.