Sixteen percent (16%) execution:

K’ba City Council records worst investment budget execution ever

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

NgohNKelle Victor, Government Delegate Kumba city council

Grand Councilors of the Kumba city council have adopted the worst budget realization ever since the creation of the city council. Sitting on Thursday 11ay 2017, to examine the execution of the administrative, management and stores account of the city council for 2016, the grand councilors noted that the realization rate stood at a paltry 16.4%. It was the first ordinary session of the council for 2017.   

                According to the gov’t delegate, Victor NgohNkele, the 2016 budget of the city council stood at FCFA one billion, eight hundred and eight million, nine hundred and fifty seven thousand, four hundred and seventy three francs (1 808 957 473).

                He noted that of that amount the sum of FCFA 837 768 150m was collected giving a revenue collection of 46.31%. Meanwhile FCFA 803 137 762M was spent giving an expenditure execution rate of 44.4%, with a surplus of 34 360 388M FCFA.

                With an investment of FCFA 118 937 529 for a budgetary forecast of FCFA 723 582 989, the investment quota for the year 2016 stood at a minimal 16.44%, below the investment quota for 2015 that stood at 53% and equally below the minimum of 40% as decreed by law.

                According to the government delegate to the Kumba city council in his address during the session, the low execution rate is attributed to the fact that, the internal revenue collection of the city council was hampered by factors such as persistent inertia of some unscrupulous revenue collectors who negotiate with traders and thrive in other malicious comportment which defraud the council of its revenue and the suspension of the supervisory authority of the collection of parking taxes from bike riders, tax evasion by traders and the malpractice of tax officers who categories traders in lower categories of taxes instead of their rightful categories amongst sundry other reasons. He added if such abnormalities are rectified it will go a long way to maximize internal collections.

                NgohNkelle Victor despite the worst realization rate recorded by his council outlined some areas that the city council has excelled in, in terms of development. He cited roads construction and maintenance works, construction of culverts, contributions to the functioning of CEFAM, UCCC, and electricity maintenance amongst others.

Sanctions loom overembezzlers of council funds

                The SDO for Meme Chamberlin Ntou’ouNdong in his capacity as the supervisory authority frowned at the low execution of the 2016 budget by the city council considering the potential of Kumba. While condemning the catastrophic execution rate, Ntou’ouNdong enjoined the city council staff especially revenue collectors to shun embezzlement of council funds.

                The no-nonsense SDO promised heavy sanctions on anyone caught in corruption-related deals at the council. He also warned the municipal treasurer to stop misappropriating council funds while demanding honest and trust worthy people to be put in revenue collection sectors of the council.

                Condemning laziness among council staff, the SDO challenged all the sub divisional mayors, councilors and the government delegate to work in synergy towards the development of Kumba.

                The SDO used the occasion of the council session to further lament on the filthy outlook of the streets of Kumba. He said that the huge piles of dirt could cause an epidemic in the town and put the lives of city dwellers at risk.