By DANIELA NEBA NGUM
The Mayor of Kumba II Sub-Divisional Council, Martin Forcha Ndobegang has disclosed that the non availability of equipments for road construction and maintenance as well as those for refuge disposal are the major problems the council is facing.
‘As far as equipment for road maintenance is concern we don’t even have one and they are expensive, to hire a grader for one week from Matgenie is almost two million without fuel. You will not imagine a council like Kumba II has nothing to boast of for 10 years; not even a grader. As far as garbage collection is concerned, we don’t even have a tipper.” Mayor Ndobegang lamented.
Mayor Ndobegang was speaking on May 22, during the Kumba II Council session meant to adopt the 2016 budget under the supervision of 1st Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, ASDO for Meme Division, Vekline Epolewane.
According to the Mayor, the non availability of these equipments count for why some roads in the municipality have not been maintained and why the council is unable to manage waste.
He said the main issue raised by the new Meme SDO during his contact tour to Kumba II is the dirty nature of the municipality. Reasons why he invited quarter heads to look for ways that they can better manage waste in their neighbourhoods. The Mayor cited the example of Swaziland where waste management that involves the entire population.
As concerns the 2016 budget, of FCFA 850,436,630 balanced in expenditure and revenue, FCFA 415,034,729 was collected, giving a revenue collection rate of 48.803% and an investment expenditure rate of 61.01%.
On her part, the 1st Assistant SDO Vekline Epolewane noted that the 48.8% realization rate is not satisfactory. She called on the Mayor and his team to put in more effort. She however commended the 61.01% spent in investment, which is the best in the division.
Projects realized in 2016 include; The construction of a slaughter house, the construction of a livestock market, the construction of the Kosala Integrated Health Center, the ongoing construction of 16 BOT stores at Fiango market, obtained FCFA 300,000,000 for the construction of Kosala market, the construction of eight stores with an office by MIPROLALO in Fiango market, obtained FCFA 5,000,000 from the Commonwealth Local Forum for the evacuation of waste, construction of streets, construction and rehabilitation of culverts, the construction of 6K/M of roads behind Hope clinic, obtained FCFA four billion, six hundred million from World Bank for the extention of water, tarring of six kilometers of road and construction of a Multi-Purpose hall in Kumba II Council area and the production of the council’s magazine.