Budgetary Session:

Limbe Gov’t Delegate Unveils Ambitious Dev’t Plan Amid Challenges

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

Limbe Gov’t Delegate, Andrew Motanga, presenting his state-of-the-city address during the budget session

The Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council has said that despite the drop in the proposed budget for the 2020 financial year, their action plan is still very ambitious. Motanga Andrew Monjimba explained that their 2020 action plan was the more ambitious because some items in the 2019 action plan have been carry forward to 2020.

                He cited notably the Construction of an ultra-modern market for the Limbe municipality, with the first phase to cost FCFA 1.2 billion and the completion phase to cost FCFA 2.2 billon. The project is planned to be completed in two years.

                Andrew Motanga was speaking Thursday 19 December, during the second ordinary session of the city council dedicated to the examination and adoption of the draft 2020 budget for the council, holding at the city hall.

                He explained that many items from the 2019 action plan were pushed forward to 2020 because financial recoveries in 2019 were not enough as permit for their execution.

                Motanga however noted the positive balance-sheet of the city council, citing some commendable realizations in 2019, though admitting that efforts must be redoubled in 2020 as much still needs be done in terms of projects realization.

                The GD presented the draft 2020 budget as balanced in revenue and expenditure at the sum of FCFA 7.5 billion (seven billion five hundred million francs CFA), down from FCFA 9.75 billion (nine billion seven hundred and fifty million francs CFA) in 2019 (23% drop).

                Motanga blamed the acute revenue drop on the persistent insecurity in the SW region and Fako division in particular due to the ongoing socio-political crisis that has brought socio-economic activities to near zero, with the CDC being amongst the hardest hit.

                He revealed that the unfortunate fire disaster at SONARA has not helped situations for the council, giving that Sonara’s contribution makes up for almost 60% of the council budget.

                The GD disclosed that the city council in 2019 registered an excess of revenue over expenditure of over FCFA 49.3 million (forty-nine million three hundred and forty six thousand six hundred and sixty four francs CFA). This amount would be carried forward to the 2020, he said.

                Of this draft budget, recurrent revenue stands at 5.98 billion (five billion nine hundred and eighty million francs CFA); investment expenditure stands at 1.52 billion (one billion five hundred and twenty million fcfa), while expenditure is estimated at FCFA 7.5 billion.

                Motanga urged revenue collectors to be more aggressive and business operators to be understanding.

                He boasted that Limbe city council is among the first group of 30 local and city councils selected to present their budget in program mode during the 2020 financial year. He said the new programming budget provides four key objectives; improving the provision of basic social amenities, promotion of economic development and environmental protection, promotion of citizenship, sports, culture and youth support as well as governance and local administration. 

                Sitting at the budgetary session, the SDO for Fako Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux hailed the city councillors for a fruitful session and for adopting a realistic budget.

                He advised the councillors to work on their budget programmes and to strive towards achieving set goals despite the SONARA mishap.

                He congratulated the government delegate and his team, wishing them success in the 9 February elections.

                 Other resolutions adopted included the payment of allowances to the Secretary General of the council.

                Closing the session, Andrew Motanga thanked all councillors, stakeholders and partners who stood by the council and supported his vision throughout the onerous journey of transforming the city of Limbe. He called on the population to vote wisely when they go to the polls on 9 February.