"Lack of collaboration hindrance to decentralisation"

The absence of collaboration and understanding among municipal authorities, administrators and other State officials of the taxation and treasury departments, have been identified as a hindrance to the decentralisation process in Cameroon.

Meme Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, David Koulbout Aman, and other members of the Local Finance Development Committee, CODEFIL, made the observation during their first ever session that held on October 30 at the conference room of the Meme Divisional Office.

Speaking at the meeting, the SDO stated that, CODEFIL was instituted on January 27, 2012, with statutory members for the effective management of councils and the proper follow-up of the decentralisation process. CODEFIL, the administrator went on, is a way of ensuring good governance.

Koulbout explained that the CODEFIL Commission is bound to seek appropriate strategies for maximum revenue collection, oversee the administrative management of funds in councils, with the aim of stimulating development in the society.

In this light, the SDO called on the municipal authorities to respond to the changes in council management brought about by CODEFIL; top among which is the new aspect of control teams auditing councils every three months.

The SDO reiterated the need for renewed collaboration between councils, Divisional Officers and the Taxation Department to ensure maximum revenue recovery for both the State and the councils.

Reacting to the challenges, Gilbert Baldena, DO for Kumba III Subdivision explained that, in some cases, council revenue collectors have special consideration for some tax payers which slows down output during forceful tax recoveries.

Simon Sombe, DO for Mbonge Subdivision observed that some council staff often opt for different schedules, contrary to that agreed with the administration. He reported that some cocoa buyers are evading taxes.

Piere Sedzode, DO of Kumba II Subdivision regretted that most councils seek the services of the administration in tax recovery only when they encounter challenges on the field. Sedzode advised that everybody should be involved in the process from the beginning for the drive to be successful.

Most Mayors said taxation officials were more concerned with State revenue than that which gets to the councils. The Mayors blamed taxation officials for not responding to their pleas whenever they are in need of help.

Guillaume Tsafack Nititop of the Meme Taxation Department said the delay in response is due to the lack of prior concern from the councils. He said councils draw up tax recovery calendars without consulting the Taxation Department.

Evaluating the conclave, William Ekong of Mbonge Council rejoiced that the tax base is widened, giving room for expansion and collaboration between councils and the Taxation Department.

John Kona Makia of Kumba III Council remarked that the 144,000 population figures attributed to Kumba does not reflect the truth. Makia pleaded with the Government to redress the situation so that local collectivities will be able to have funds to grade roads and provide desired services to the population.