Towards Autonomy of Local Councils:

PNDP promises more financial support

By Boris Esono in Buea

Just like in other regions of country, the National Community Development Programme, PNDP, has launched its 3rd phase in Buea, capital of the South West region, with a pledge to finance more projects in South West Councils. Though the launching of this ‘consolidation phase’ kicked-off across the country on 20 May 2016, it was on Tuesday, 12 July that the South West Region had its own launching.

                Speaking at the occasion, the 3rd Deputy Mayor of the Buea Council, Mr. Musoko Edward called the attention of participants to the low development in the region despite the enormous potentials in Agriculture and Crude Oil.  Mayor Mosoko Edward said that due to some objective difficulties agriculture in the region cannot be maximized. He noted for instance that due to the poor road networks in the region, agricultural produce from the hinterlands cannot be transported to urban markets for sale.

                Further painting the bad picture of roads in the region the Deputy Mayor wondered why some local administrators should resort to the use of motor bikes to go about their work, especially in the Bakassi area.

                Launching the event, the Governor of the SWR, Mr. Bernard OkaliaBilai, called on the various councils to make use of the PNDP Programme which is an instrument put in place to achieve the objectives of the government. He said the PNDP will in this 3rd phase extend its largesse to other councils, including notably the Limbe and Kumba councils. 

But Governor Okalia also revealed that because of the endemic poverty and insecurity in the Northern and Eastern regions of the country, about 48% of the funding in this consolidation phase of the PNDP program will go to councils in these regions. 

                For her part, the National Coordinator of PNDP, Madam Ngah Marie Madeline made mention of the fact that after the success of the second (2nd) phase of PNDP, there was need for the implementation of the third phase. As of 2016, after phase 1 and 2, more than 38,000 micro projects realized in the socio economic sector with benefactors of over two (2) million, 328 communal development plans executed and more than six (6) hundred additional staff recruited with a projected increase to sixty (60) thousand micro projects in 2020.

                Under the distinguished patronage of the Governor of the South West Region, Mr. Bernard OkaliaBilai, the PNDP’s programme launch saw the participation of mayors, local counselors drawn from the SWR.

                Through these innovations, it is hoped that the program will maximize the impact of government actions in favor of local development and decentralization with emphasis on ensuring the autonomy of local councils and the promotion of local public services.

                The event was marked by the signing of             some conventions between PNDP and councils, contract awards and as of 2017, PNDP is going to award prizes to councils that distinguish themselves in achieving PNDP goals and objectives.