Indiscipline among councilors mars Muyuka council

By Sarah Nkongho Ojong in Muyuka

(L-R) D.O Muyuka sub division &
Mayor Nkeng Michael

The SDO for Fako, Zang III, has frowned at councilors of the Muyuka municipality who spend their time smearing the image of their mayor instead of collaborating with him to bring meaningful development to the town. Zang 111 noted that the councilors have adopted gossiping, backbiting and holding illegal nocturnal meetings as their stock in trade, while the council’s development is put on hold.
    The SDO made the observations during an ordinary session to examine the administrative and management accounts of the council, on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at the council chambers.
    Zang 111 wondered why the Muyuka municipality with its multi-ethnic and hardworking population, and despite the enormous and enviable economic potentials and revenue generating sources, should continue relying solely on the state for its development.
    It emerged from the council session that out of the sum of 515,818,079fcfa generated, 396,651,167fcfa stood as recurrent revenue. Intriguingly all these funds were derived essentially from state sources. In fact, it emerged that 76.89% of the council’s revenue came from government sources - additional council tax, government subventions, loans etc.

    The SDO therefore urged the Mayor, Nkeng Michael Akamin (he is also fondly called Chariot) to contemplate new and stringent measures on how to boost revenue generation and collection. 
    Zang 111 blamed Muyuka’s economic lapses on the non-conducive atmosphere that reigns at the council, whereby some disgruntled council workers abandon their duty posts, while others resort to embezzlement, indiscipline and insubordination thus hampering the realization of projects for the well being and benefit of the population.
    In line with the above, the Mayor of the Muyuka municipality, Nkeng Michael out-rightly hammered on the lazy, nonchalant and malicious attitude of some council workers who misappropriate council funds for their personal and selfish gains, thus stifling development projects.
    In an observatory note presented by Zang III, he asked all disgruntled councilors to ensure good collaboration with their mayor, as he was the one they chose to serve them in the next 5 years. He urged the councilors to eschew negative attitudes and adopt positive ideas for the development of their municipality.
    But some commentators at the session blamed the SDO for failing to also call the mayor to order. This reporter gathered that the mayor, ever since he secured his election, has become an absentee landlord. Many councilors and even some residents of Muyuka complained that the mayor concentrates on his private businesses and affords only very little time for council business.
    Away from this, the session also evaluated the financial performance of the council.             We gathered that the Muyuka council had an income of 515,818,079 fcfa for a budgetary estimate of 776,764,675fcfa; a realization rate of 66.406%. Of this amount recurrent revenue stood at 396,651,167fcfa and investment revenue at 119,166,912fcfa. Meanwhile, recurrent expenditure stood at 297,860,914fcfa and investment expenditure of 151,913,470fcfa, recording an excess revenue over expenditure of 60,043,695fcfa.
    Some realized projects of the council include refurbishing and supply of medical equipment to the Bavenga – Ikata health center, completion of work on the mortuary situated behind the council premises, construction of an incinerator for the district hospital, construction of 2 classrooms, 60 benches, tables and chairs for G.S. Lilale, scholarship schemes, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads and extension of farm to market roads to promote the economy of the sub division.
    Some recommendations from session include the provision of portable water in Munyenge and other villages, proper collection and management council revenue, reorganization of the motor bike sector and most importantly clearing of the council debts which stand at 61,080,432fcfa coming essentially from accrued pensions owed to retired workers and unpaid bills from contractors and suppliers.