K’bo Mayor Finally Opens Up on Water Saga

-Says Kumbo Water belongs to the Nso People, the Fon, and the council
-Warned political adventurers that use the people for their gains
-Reveals the he has no problem with the Fon
By Njodzefe Nestor 

Mayor Njong Donatus giving his side of the story to the populations

In a public hearing organized July 23, to explain the supervisory role of the council over Kumbo Water Authority and to dispel rumours and intoxication, which he said has been doing the rounds in the area, Mayor Donatus Fonyuy Njong told the population that came out to listen to the council’s own side of the story on the ongoing water saga that the Kumbo Water belongs to the Nso People, the Fon, and the council and that no one has love for the water more than the other.
    Tracing the origin of the Kumbo water to 1967, when President Ahidjo paid a visit to Canada, Mayor Njong paid glowing tribute to ‘one of Nso’s greatest patriarchs’ , Prof Bernard Fonlon, who he said convinced President Ahidjo to include Kumbo water as one of the projects he was tabling before the Canadian Government. The Mayor explained the long road that led to signing of the Memorandum of Understanding that gave the council the supervisory role over Kumbo Water Authority.
    Reacting to the rumours of huge salaries for KWA workers/board members, the mayor refuted allegations that KWA workers were on a huge monthly salary and that board members were receiving monthly pay. He said the highest salary in KWA is FCFA 220,000. He explained board members only have sitting allowances and not salaries as it rumour holds.
    He also explained that apart from other benefits, the Fon more than 2.4 million in a year, far more than what any other person earns.
    Contrary to rumours doing the rounds, the mayor disclosed that KWA is regularly audited. He even brandished copies of the 2014 internal and external audit reports.
    Quizzed on what will be done now that some people are still requesting for an independent external audit, the mayor said if the General Assembly is not satisfied with the audit reports, they are charged to make requests for another audit.


Transfer of KWA Office to Tobin
    It was disclosed that issues related to a new structure had been discussed in the board for about six years. Mayor Njong said a board meeting sanctioned the decision and charged the manager to look for a plot in Tobin. The mayor said KWA board agreed a befitting structure be put for the future, a structure, which he said will embellish the town.
    He dispelled rumours that an individual had offered a FCFA 800.000 plot to KWA and the council opted for an expensive one. The mayor told the public the plot, where the KWA is presently putting up a structure was bought following the tariff set by the council.
    He said KWA paid for 2000 Square metres at FCFA 5000 per square metre, giving a total of FCFA 10 Million. He explained that KWA moved out of the palace simply because of the traditional injunctions placed in front of its office at the palace. He said KWA was supposed to only move from the palace, when the new office under construction would have been complete.

Quality of Water/High Bills
    The mayor also cleared the air on the quality of water, which many have complained do not have desirable colour and not fit for public consumption. He reassured the population the water is regularly chlorinated and is thus fit for drinking. He said even in some advanced countries sometimes water gets dirty requiring that pipes be cleaned using special devices, which Kumbo does not have.
    On the situation of high bills, the mayor said there is no way in the world where water is free. He asked the population to compare the bills of Kumbo water and that of neighbouring towns like Jakiri. He said though with a population of about of 150000 inhabitants, Kumbo still has one of best water supply schemes in Cameroon.

Working in Synergy
    While acknowledging Kumbo Water belongs to Nso people, the Fon and the council, the mayor expressed the need for all to work together to make it better. He said the council will only do what the law requires of her. He advised the population to desist from listening to intoxication from detractors. He lauded the Fon for his recent visit to catchment and treatment centers, stating that the Fon has always played an important role on water related issues. He said he does not have any problem with the Fon, who he acknowledged is his father.

Replacement of Albestos Pipes
    In the public hearing, the mayor disclosed that plans are underway to replace the old albestos pipes. Going by assurances from experts, he said the pipes could still be used for some time. Mayor Njong however reassured the population an FCFA 800 Million albestos pipe replacement project has been designed by the council. According to the Mayor a lot has been achieved since the supervision of KWA was placed under the Kumbo Council. The mayor insisted the council role is supervisory and not direct management of the scheme. He added that the council is not even a signatory to KWA bank account.
    The mayor lauded the population for their maturity during this crisis period and asked them to close their ears to demagogy and detractors.