By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The South West Regional Follow-Up Committee for Public Investment Projects met on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the conference hall of the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) to assess progress, and strategise on improving execution rates for the 2025 Public Investment Budget (PIB). With over 545 projects worth more than FCFA 16 billion assigned to the region this year, the meeting served as a crucial checkpoint in the drive to ensure timely and effective implementation.
At the heart of the discussions was the call for stakeholders, especially mayors and contractors, to double their efforts to meet the financial year-end deadline of November 30. As of July 29, the region has reached a 25% physical execution rate, a figure that, while showing improvement over past years, still leaves a significant margin for urgent action.
Speaking during the session, H.R.H. Chief Dr. Fotsop Dominic Yimnai, Regional Delegate of MINEPAT for the South West Region, expressed cautious satisfaction: “Effectively, my satisfaction should stem from 100% execution, but we are not yet there,” he stated. “However, I am fully satisfied with the current progress as over 80% of project awards have been completed. This sets us on a solid track for physical realisation”, he said.
Chief Dr. Fotsop emphasised that delays in contract awards had previously stalled progress, but with that hurdle largely overcome, focus must now shift to ground-level execution. He acknowledged performance disparities across councils, citing the Buea Council in a security-stable zone as an example of where results could be better. “Some mayors are still struggling with the contract award mechanism even after five years in office,” he noted, urging a stronger response from the Governor to instill accountability.
Hon. Malomba Esembe, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Regional Follow-Up Committee, echoed the call for urgency, especially in the context of the upcoming presidential election in October. “The PIB is a tool through which the government of His Excellency President Paul Biya brings development to the people. It should be a source of joy, not frustration,” Hon. Malomba declared. He challenged stakeholders to ensure that projects are not rushed, but are executed with quality and transparency, restoring public trust in government institutions.
The MP further explained that the region’s past performance has been commendable, placing the South West among the best nationally in terms of project execution. “We believe the measures we’ve adopted today will position us for greater success before the close of this fiscal year,” he said. Hon. Malomba stressed that project execution should serve as a testament to institutional efficiency, especially in an election year. “Let’s give the people reason to have faith in the institutions that serve them, institutions incarnated by the Head of State”, he said.
Adding a local government perspective, Mayor Eseme Moses Esembe of Kumba I Council expressed optimism following the review. “The turnout and engagement in today’s meeting were unlike any we’ve had before,” he noted. “Compared to last year, we’ve made significant progress. Stakeholders are beginning to wake up to their responsibilities.”
Mayor Eseme, who is also a member of both the regional and national follow-up commissions, highlighted the government’s new performance-based incentive programme as a motivational tool. “Now, mayors who execute their projects efficiently will receive national recognition and even financial rewards. This will not only boost morale but bring added development to our municipalities.”
He commended the practical guidelines issued during the session, which he believes will equip councils to overcome past hurdles in project management and implementation.
As the region pushes into the final phase of the fiscal year, all eyes are on the councils, contractors, and supervising authorities to ensure that the ambitious investment plans translate into tangible benefits for the people of the South West. With performance now directly tied to recognition and rewards, the stakes have never been higher.