Mid-term Evaluation:

Cash-strapped K’ba III council counts achievements
Mayor John Kouna Makia embarks on intensive revenue collection drive
By Sirri Ntonifor Tangwe in Kumba
The rate of execution of the budget and the financial situation of the Kumba III council for the first half of the year 2015 preoccupied councilors and the supervisory authority of the council, the SDO of Meme, during the mid-term evaluation session that met last week in Kumba. According to reports presented during the session, of a targeted 250 million FCFA to be collected as revenue from January to June 2015, only 92 million FCFA was effectively collected, corresponding to 37% of the expected revenue. Measures are therefore being put in place to examine the present revenue collection process and to propose methods for improvement.
    However, the Lord Mayor of the Kumba III council, John Kouna Makia, used the occasion of the council session to showcase the strides he and his team have made in the first half of the year. Prominent among these is the construction and establishment of a council extension office at Barombi, with its staff already trained to cater for the population who must cover a long distance to get to the main council office; construction of 20 market sheds in Teke, prompt payment of workers’ salaries, extensive grading of the Ntam I road, and the mass solemnization of 89 marriages through a unique ceremony, spurring others in the municipality to follow suit.

    Mayor Makia boasted that his propelling secret is that he works for the people and with the people.
    Despite acknowledging the progress made by the council, the first Assistant Senior Divisional officer for Meme, Verklin Epulewane épse Mbua, and councillors who comprised the Finance Committee drew attention to the fact that the council coffers were virtually dry given the weak revenue collection rate (37%) and the very high expenditure rate of 99%. Furthermore, figures for the investment revenue stood at 0% and yet, projects have been accomplished, begging the question as to the source of funding for the projects.
    The mayor remained unperturbed and confident before this examination of his management of the council for the first half of the year, promising to implement recommendations made. He called on councilors to protect the interests of their various communities.
    The SDF, ANDP and CPDM councilors unanimously adopted the resolutions proposed and described their co-existence in the council as flawless and fruitful.
    During the council meeting at Mambanda on August 6, students who were offered holiday jobs by the council were paid their stipends.
    Mayor John Makia used the occasion to announce the imminent recruitment of a legal adviser and the commencement of construction work on the motor park, with or without the statutory input from the Kumba City Council.