Fallout of Anglophone Conflict:

Paltry Execution of PIB Projects in Fako Division          

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

The Anglphone crisis is taking its toll on Fako. There has been a marked decrease in the rate of execution of public investment budget PIB projects in Fako division and most parts of the SW region. This was the observation made by members of the Foko divisional participatory follow-up committee for PIB projects in Fako meeting in Limbe on Tuesday 17 July 2018 for their second quarter evaluation meeting for 2018. 

            The committee members noted with dismay the drop in physical execution of public investment projects to 19.23% down from 22.10% at the same period last year. The financial execution rate also dropped to 5% down from the 7.22% last year.

            Speaking at the meeting, the chairperson of the Fako divisional public investment projects follow-up committee, Hon Etombi Gladys noted that the first quarter meeting held in April gave an opportunity for all actors involved to mobilize and define the terms of reference for the implementation and execution of the 2018 budget so as to achieve the goals given by the 2018 financial law.

            She said that during the first quota evaluation, the execution rate stood at 9.34% with a 50% rate of contracts awarded at the level of the divisional tenders’ level.

            Addressing the worries of some people who doubt local development possibilities, she said local development is their daily business, noting that looking forward to better living conditions, communities place their hopes on the good execution of PIB projects for which their common responsibility is engaged.

            Hon Itombi further noted that decree No 2018/366 of 20th June 2018 instituting the public contracts code, states inter alia that municipal authorities are fully responsible for contract award procedures in their communities.

            She blamed the late award of contracts, poor mastery of public contract procedures, lack of collaboration amongst stakeholders and more for the slow execution of some projects.

            She equally decried the insecurity in the region which has stalled the execution of some projects and slowed the rate of execution of others in some parts of the division.

            "It is a sad situation that our country is facing security issues which is not just slowing the execution rate of PIB projects but other state affairs too. I believe everything happens for a reason because in life there are always challenges and the state is no exception,” remarked Hon. Itombi Gladys, adding that to face these challenges, people should have a positive mindset and strive to move forward.

            She expressed the hope that the execution rate will increase sooner than later. She called on all the projects stakeholders to collaborate with each other and take advantage of any given opportunity to forge ahead.

            Hon. Itombi called on contractors and engineers especially to commit themselves to their work.

            For his part, the Fako Divisional Delegate of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Ngwa Edielle Jackson, disclosed that the financial Commitments of 2018 projects as at the end of June was over FCFA 1.8 billion (1,80,614,000,000 fcfa) and payment authorization made for FCFA 1,72,614,000,000 giving a physical execution rate of 34.01% of divisional vote holdings.

            Edielle said all the councils have been committed to the execution of their respective projects with the first being Ideneau council with 61.02% physical execution rate and Muyuka being the last with 00% execution.

            He equally mentioned that the division received 89 projects amounting to FCFA 1,247,124,000 with the administration managing 17 which amounts to FCFA 1,72.641.000 and 71 by the councils amounting to FCFA 1,229,510,000. UE said for the moment only seven projects haven been executed.

            It was also revealed that since April, 18 projects out of 22 projects received and launched have been awarded, signed and notified for execution and work is ongoing but for Muyuka council which has been down due to the Socio political crisis.

            During the reports presentation by the councils in the division, the Mayor of Muyuka urged stakeholders to pray so that God gives wisdom to the government to handle the Anglophone crisis stating that Muyuka has suffered a lot since the beginning of the crisis. He also told the committee that Muyuka is deserted and most of the council workers have fled the area since the kidnapped and murder of one council worker.

            The chairperson took the opportunity to call on Christians to pray earnestly for God to heal the land and bring back peace and unity that was once cherished in the country.