By Ndefru Melanie in Bamenda
As part of a response strategy, the Public Independent Conciliator’s Office in the Northwest region headed by Tamfu Simon Fai, believes that partnering with the press described as a development stakeholder in the region will enable their institution update the public about their activities and plans for 2023.
According to Tamfu Simon, many people in the Northwest region are not yet abreast with the services of the PIC. He thinks there is need for continues sensitization on the subject matter, so that the people will know exactly where and how to table their problems.
This was during a press briefing in Bamenda on March 21, 2023 dedicated to present the PIC’s activity report for 2022. Tamfu Simon mentioned challenges faced so far but believed that the difficulties he and his team encountered going to the field will boost their work schedule for 2023.
As part of 2022’s activities; Tamfu Simon talked about interacting with over 18 councils, treating over 40 complaints, had capacity building workshops and had about 2 major outings. He recounted efforts made to ensure the local masses understood the functioning of the PIC.
Other challenges like inadequate resources, late disbursement of funds to council and the PIC amongst others, the insecurity threats faced by PIC Staff he explained were some of the things causing the u smooth nature of work.
Recommendations of the Major National dialogue being slow, the budget of 2022 disclosed only in the later part of that year that made things slow. The PIC is also facing other challenges to have some authorities see the PIC as independent.
Tamfu Simon believes that for 2023, major activities will mostly center around sensitisation activities, because the PIC works directly with the local masses and the councils ensuring that the common man is served in a proper way in every municipality in the Northwest region.
Given some survey done with some community based actors, the PIC is aware of Councils that are inclusive and also clandestine in the discharge of their functions, the PIC has called for inclusive consultations with the population by the Regional and Municipal Councils.
“The PIC has recommended the putting in place of a code of conduct to guide the functioning of the regional and local councils. The institution has prescribed partial distribution of employment opportunities to ensure equitable representation”, PIC NW.
The PICexists to ensure fairness in the relationship between regional and local council entities and the population, as well as individual beneficiaries of their actions and activities.
As part of their vision they are mandated to work with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that reflect the rights and obligations for everyone in the context of its mission.