Buea Mayor, council under serious scrutiny

The change concept in political husbandry was popularised by the Barack Obama campaign team when this first ever African American to become The United States Head of State was initially looking for how to enter the White House. His chief opponent at the time, Senator John McCain mocked him. The war veteran told Americans that by the way Obama was preaching change, Americans would be left with nothing but change in their pockets by the time the black man becomes their President.

He was wrong. Obama reinforced his campaign for change in that nation with the “Yes We Can” slogan that eventually swept the average voter off their feet. Once in office, Obama was on the firing line. Every step he took made news. Every utterance of his was scrutinised and criticised. Some six years later, President Obama is still explaining and defending his ‘change’ political game plan. Americans have him on his toes, putting every action of his under the periscope and asking for more...

Back home in Buea, Patrick Esunge Ekema, incumbent Mayor announced preached change to this former German capital of Cameroon as soon as it had become clear that he was at the helm of the Council. Conspicuous billboards, adorned with the young man’s effigy ensured that the change message was hit the target. And the approximately 200,000 Buea inhabitants were so anxious to live and be part and parcel of this Ekema’s “Change (that had) has Come To Buea.”

True to his promise, change did actually come to Buea. But whether it was for better or for worse is what is still being assessed. However, the political weather cock is still being watched and 260 days into his stewardship, the people had occasion to take a look at Ekema’s report card. This was by way of the very First Ordinary Session the Buea Council after he became its Chief Magistrate. It must be noted here that the Mayor was assessed at this session not directly by the people, but by the supervisory authority on their behalf.

Witnesses at the Ordinary Session included administrative, political, religious and traditional authorities and Councillors. It held on July 23, at the Buea Municipal Council Hall.

The mission was to examine and adopt the Administrative, Management and Stores Management Accounts for the 2013 financial year in order to guarantee accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

In all fairness, Mayor Ekema had delivered on some of his promises. Yet, this did not meet the rather critical mind of the supervisory authorities represented here by, the 1st Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Fako, Vincent Nafongo who was not very satisfied with the attainment level of certain projects in the Municipality. Which was why during his presentation, he gave strict orders to the Buea Mayor to ensure that certain tasks are made patent.

The Assistant SDO mandated the Mayor and his team to ensure that the Buea population benefits from the infrastructures put in place within the framework of the 50th Anniversary Celebration such as roads, street lights, and to ensure the supply of potable water.

He emphasised on the effective realisation of Council projects, the respect of laid down procedures for the award of contracts to curb the misappropriation of Council funds and the bringing to order of recalcitrant workers.

The Senior Civil Servant, instructed the Mayor to put in place some measures to exploit some apparently neglected revenue generating sources which had been recommended in the 2014 Budgetary session by mastering the collection revenue procedure taking into consideration the great potentials of the Muea Market, Buea Central Market, Park fees and Building fees.

“As far as building fees are concerned, I am instructing the Mayor to send me a detailed report on the potentials and the actual situation of this sector within one month,” Nafongo instructed.

Mindful of the impact of this panel especially to the public, the Mayor of the Buea Municapal Council, Patrick Ekama, during his opening speech did not hesitate to announce that the revenue generated and collected during the period under review stood at Fcfa 854,420,555 giving a 65.41% realisation rate.

The said amount, he indicated, is made up of Fcfa 653,801,573 representing 61.14% realisation rate for recurrent revenue budget and Fcfa 200,618,982, making 45.04% of the investment revenue budget.

To salvage the marred project realisation situation, Mayor said the Council over the time frame had launched a holiday job programme for 150 students worth FCFA 5million, awarded scholarships to 250 underprivileged but deserving students worth FCFA 5million; invested FCFA 2 million to re-furbish and equip the new police service behind the newly constructed grandstand and more.

He further announced some to-be projects like the construction of a 10-room self contained private ward at the Buea Regional Hospital, a water extension connection from Mountain Hotel to the Regional Hospital and from Great Soppo to Molyko, rehabilitation of all roads which were constructed within the framework of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, rehabilitation of BONAVADA water project, among others.

He also announced the launching of a micro finance institution, “The Buea Cooperative Credit Union” designated to alleviate poverty as it would serve as a loan and thrift fund amongst its members.

Regrettably, the Council has debts of close to 400million owed to some contractors and the panel had resolved that within the framework of the already voted 2014 budget, embarked in the payment of some of the contractors as it deteriorates the image of the Council.