By Engah Peter Parkers
The Mayor of Limbe lll municipality, Nseke Dibotti Luma has decried the continuous incursion of villages under Limbe I into his municipality. The Mayor voiced the issue as a major preoccupation of the municipality, on Thursday, April 17, during the 1st ordinary council session for 2025, dedicated for the examination and adoption of the Council’s 2024 administrative, management and stores accounts. Fako Senior Divisional Officer was represented at the event by his 3rd assistant, Biyela Noah.
According to Mayor Nseke Luma, the ongoing territorial incursion of villages from Limbe I into Limbe III has escalated to a level that necessitates immediate intervention from higher authorities. He mentioned that the situation not only threatens the integrity of municipal boundaries but also poses significant implications for local governance and community relations.
According to existing Ministerial Orders, several villages were officially established within the confines of Limbe I. However, it has become increasingly apparent that these villages are not merely asserting their presence; they are actively encroaching upon lands designated for Limbe III. This encroachment, the Mayor said, is marked by unauthorised construction activities and land clearing, actions that disrupt established norms and challenge municipal stability. The persistence of these disruptive activities raises profound concerns regarding land rights and adherence to municipal boundaries.
Historically, the communities within these municipalities have coexisted peacefully; however, this incursion threatens to exacerbate existing tensions between them. The potential for conflict looms large as disputes over land ownership and usage intensify, undermining years of harmonious coexistence. In light of these developments, Mayor Nseke has made an earnest appeal to the office of the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO Fako) and other relevant authorities for decisive action against the encroachment.
The accounts
The Mayor’s report highlighted a balanced sheet for the 2024 fiscal year, which stemmed from an approved budget amounting to six hundred and fifty million (650,000,000) francs CFA. The revenue collected during this period totaled three hundred and eighty-nine million, two hundred and fifteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two (389,215,732) francs CFA. This figure represented a realisation rate of sixty percent (60%). A breakdown of the revenue reveals that recurrent revenue amounted to one hundred seventy-six million, one hundred fifteen thousand, seven hundred thirty-two (176,115,732) francs CFA against a forecasted budget of three hundred ninety million (390,000,000) francs CFA, yielding a realisation rate of 46%.
Conversely, investment revenue reached two hundred and thirteen million, one hundred thousand (213,100,000) francs CFA with a projected budget of two hundred sixty million (260,000,000) francs CFA, resulting in an execution rate of 82%.
On the expenditure side, Limbe III Council reported total expenditures amounting to three hundred, fifty-six million, nine hundred and fifty-six thousand, twenty-eight (356,956,028) francs CFA. This figure is further dissected into recurrent expenditures totaling one hundred twenty-eight million, one hundred eighty-two thousand, six hundred and forty-three (128,182,643) francs CFA, against a budgetary allocation of three hundred and ninety million (390,000,000), resulting in an execution rate of 33%. Investment expenditures accounted for two hundred and twenty-eight million, seven hundred and seventy-three thousand, three hundred and eighty-five (228,773,385) francs CFA, against a planned budget of two hundred and sixty million (260,000,000), yielding an execution rate of 88%.
The fiscal analysis revealed that after accounting for total expenditures from total revenues, it resulted in an excess revenue over expenditure amounting to thirty-two million, two hundred and fifty-nine thousand, seven-hundred-four (32 ,259 ,704 ) francs CFA. The surplus, it was echoed primarily stems from treasury balances including unpaid public investment budget bills alongside local levies collected at treasury. However , it is crucial to note that internal revenue has experienced a slight decline from forty-three million, sixty-two thousand, five-hundred and ninety-four (43 ,062 ,594 ) francs CFA in 2023 down to just over forty-two million(42 ,000 ,000 )francsCFA in 2024 .This fluctuation underscores persistent challenges confronting council operations while necessitating continued strategic pursuits aimed toward achieving autonomy.
Strides made
During his address to dignitaries and council members alike including representatives from various sectors, Mayor Nseke articulated both challenges faced and successes achieved within his municipal administration. Notable accomplishments included: Rehabilitation projects at government primary schools located in Bimbia and Ijaw-Mabeta, Provision of essential equipment to the Integrated Health Center at Man O’ War Bay, Construction initiatives comprising three hangars situated at Mboko, Mbomo and Kange, Equipping agricultural posts at Mabeta and Chop Farm, Enhancement efforts directed towards Limbe III Council’s sound system etc. The Mayor observed that these initiatives have significantly contributed to addressing community needs, particularly evident at the Man O’ War Bay Health Center where ongoing consultations and hospitalisations are being facilitated.
Mayor Nseke expressed gratitude to residents who have actively utilised these professional medical services.
Ongoing initiatives
Mayor Nseke raised concerns regarding infrastructure development within Limbe III municipality, a long-standing issue among residents specifically advocating for tarred roads which he emphasised as vital not only for improved transportation but also as a critical factor attracting investments and boosting tourism. (He cited increased visitation rates fourfold to historical sites such as the Slave Trade site attributed largely due to rehabilitation efforts undertaken along roads connecting Chop Farm through Dikolo completed earlier this January.)
“Still in the sphere of boosting economic activities, we anticipate supply of the events equipment in under a month. In the days ahead, Limbe lll municipality will boast of pyramids and some 50-seater canopies, the crystal and regular plastic chairs and the mini-transport van to offer transport services. We look forward to a significant increase in revenue”, he said.
The Mayor also revealed that, “We have begun works to open farm to market roads linking Chop Farm to Man O’ War Bay layout. Farmers will easily ferry their produce to the market using the road.
“We must optimise our internal revenue sources through regular follow-up and spontaneous controls. Hygiene and sanitation has witnessed significant improvements with the implementation of the new deliberated tariffs for building permit application and hygiene and sanitation fees. We shall pursue action on fines for households without sanitary facilities and poultry and piggery operators who do not respect environmental norms. Their activities constitute nuisance to the community with negative effects on health and social welfare”, he announced.
The Council’s Housing project
In another important domain, execution work at the Limbe III housing project has recommenced under the supervision of FEICOM and the ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Mayor Nseke noted that, “As promised, the follow-up is stringent with the respect of building norms assured by LABOGENIE and the project team. It is our hope that the works will be completed following the contract duration for the housing estate to become functional and inhabited”.
According to the Mayor, “Due to delays in the execution of the former contract awarded in 2019 and the current market prices, an addendum had been anticipated for the completion of the works. ..Additionally, FEICOM has requested for studies to undertake external works around the buildings to provide adequate supply of water and electricity through the installation of individual meters, paved and green spaces and possibly a playground, solar lighting, a fence and other amenities”, he detailed.
He further revealed that FEICOM has also reaffirmed its commitment to accompanying Limbe III in its development stride. “We have once again benefitted from the Low-income window for social Projects. We shall focus mostly on providing solar street lighting from Mbonjo to Man O’ War Bay, in the creeks and housing quarters. FEICOM has also been granted the opportunity to apply for projects under the Climate Window aimed at curbing reforestation and flooding within the municipality.”
Mayor Nseke said, Limbe lll anticipates engaging the maturation process for the second phase of the housing scheme to construct 24 apartments as soon as the present project is completed.
Challenges being faced
During the session, Mayor Nseke acknowledged hardships being faced by his Council, particularly regarding workers’ salaries.
He also mentioned that, “We are all aware of the imbroglio around the Bimbia Slave trade site that caused a powerful move of solidarity to contest the ceding of the historic site for selfish ends.This move was not against development, but clearly conveyed the place of the traditional authority and indigenous community in the preservation of their ancestry. It also aligns with the present dispensation of Decentralisation and Local Development that promotes participatory approach to development and gives a voice to the local people.”
The Mayor furthered that, “If intentions are good, they should be brought on the table for all parties to brainstorm”, he said.