2nd Council Session: Idenau Council coping with huge debts

The Fako SDO has called on the mayor of Idenau to ensure payment of all the council’s debts including arrears of salaries owed to workers and unpaid bills of contractors. The council has debts to the tune of over FCFA 164 millions (164,990,314 fcfa). Council authorities were also challenged to boost commercial activity in the beach town notably import and export of goods and fight clandestine transportation and contraband. It was the 2nd ordinary session of the council that held on 28 February 2014. The SDO was represented by the 1st Assistant, Lokombe Vincent.

By Sarah NkonghoOjong back from Idenau

Presided over by the SDO in the company of other officials among whom were the DO for West Coast, DO for Idenau, Mayor of Idenau Council, Traditional rulers of the sub division and 23 of 24 Councilors present, the 2014 budgetary session was aimed to seek ways to bring development to the municipality and improve the livelihood of the population.

                The 2014 draft budget balanced in revenue and expenditure stands at 550 million fcfa as opposed to 799,000,000 fcfa in 2013, a decrease of 249 million fcfa representing a 31.16% reduction. 

                In his speech during the session, the Mayor congratulated the councilors for the victory during the 20 September 2013 municipal and legislative elections. He reiterated on the need for the council’s communal development plan to be upgraded in order to ameliorate the economy, education, health, agriculture and socio-cultural and sporting activities within the sub division.

                This year’s budget is backed up by projects like the construction of a multi-purpose conference hall, the opening, rehabilitation of farm to market roads, employment of youths, rehabilitation of the municipal grand stand, rehabilitation of the road passing through Idenau to the Debundscha, Batoke and Etome fishing ports, improve on hygiene and sanitation, construction of open market stalls to generate income, improve tourism and purchasing a new car for the mayor.

                According to Mayor Tonde priority projects include the tarring of the Bibunde ring road, fencing of the council building, construction of a council guest house and request for the construction of 300 low cost houses in the area.

                On his part, the SDO, Lokombe Vincent applauded the mayor’s lofty plans and projects and urged the councilors to create new revenue sources and boost collection. He also emphasized on the need to implement strict measures to avoid unnecessary expenditure, fight against embezzlement of council funds, organize the motor bike sector and fight urban disturbance.

                Some salient issues raised at the council session included the resignation of a councilor Lilao Otto Peter, just a month after the September 30 elections