Implementing Decentralization: B’da Gov’t Delegate laments low wages of council staff

But joins mayors of NW and West regions to pen motion of support to Biya for instituting decentralization

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

The Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council has urged the government to consider raising the salary scale of staffers of councils and allowances for councilors. Vincent NdumuNji made the solemn plea in his intervention during a 3-day seminar to educate and drill council managers on legal and financial issues relating to their tasks. In his characteristic frankness, Vincent Ndumu lamented the low wage package recommended by law for workers of councils. He observed that the take-home pay of some council workers and even councilors can barely take them home. Ndumu also regretted that the endowment fund allocated for councilors was yet to be adequately implemented. He noted that these short-comings only stifle the smooth implementation and realization of the lofty objectives of decentralization.

               

Vincent Ndumu

Talking to pressmen on the sidelines of the seminar, the minister delegate at the MINADT in charge of decentralization, Jules DoretNdongo, also acknowledged the worrisome observations made by the government and promised to refer the plea to the appropriate quarters in Yaounde.

                However, at the end of the seminar, participants including mayors, secretaries-general and municipal treasurers from North West and West regions, addressed a motion of support to President Paul Biya, thanking him for instituting decentralization in Cameroon. 

                The motion that was read out by the Mayor of Oku, on behalf of all the mayors was fiercely contested by SDF mayors, who described it as “a loud sounding nothing” conceived by over-zealous CPDM mayors. 

                The SDF mayors said they were not contacted prior to the writing of the motion. Francis Wache, mayor of Nkor, said that he was not aware that such a document was being prepared. This was confirmed by the 1st Deputy Mayor of Zoa council popularly as Menchum councilor, who said he even contemplated staging a walk out during the reading of the motion.  

The seminar was the third in a series organized by MINATD to enable council officials to master procedures within the framework of the decentralization process.

                In his opening remarks at the seminar, Jules DoretNdongo said the government thought it expedient to give Mayors, Secretaries Generals and Municipal Treasurers needed skills for the better management of council resources and competences transferred to them by the state. He expressed the hope that at the end of the seminar, the conflicts which usually reign between Mayors, Secretaries Generals and Municipal Treasurers would be averted.

                For three days, the participants were drilled on modules such as local governance, public contract, preparation, management and control of council budget and taxes as well as the management of municipal assets and liabilities.