Muyuka: Local authorities alarmed over Source Du Pays’ tax evasion
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Issues of revenue came under scrutiny at the examination, voting and adoption of the administrative, management and store management accounts for the 2024 financial year of the Muyuka Council. It was reported by the Mayor, Landjinou Njomgoue Lazare, during plenary on April 11 that though revenue had improved by 79.9% from 2023, there still remained challenges. Owing to the consequences of the socio-political atmosphere on the municipality. He pointed out Source Du Pays – a drink and water production company as a notorious case. The multi-brand company, he said, was offering the council no dim against laws enforced.
“Most of our taxpayers have either relocated or died due to the crisis. Source Du Pays, known as Super Mont, is not helping matters. Even the payment of their park fees is done at the level of Douala,” Mayor Njomgoue Lazare stated.
Throughout 2024, the Muyuka Council ran primarily on funds from Fonds Spécial d’Équipement et d’Intervention Intercommunale, communément abbreviated FEICOM – a public economic and financial establishment.
“They don’t pay us just because they say they have allies in Yaounde. So they don’t care about the Muyuka Council,” the Council chief executive went on to lament. He explained that councillors had demanded a protest to be done at the water bottling firm situated at Ekona – way into Muyuka.
Overview of 2024
The year which was under review – 2024, was one in which authorities admitted a slight improvement in the socio-political climate. It should be noted that Muyuka is the most affected municipality in the Fako Division, South West of an eight-year-long armed conflict in the North West and South West regions. This social climate is blamed for the most, of the limitation in achievements across Muyuka.
However, the realization of the Public Investment Budget for 2024 stood at 80.63%. The Muyuka Council had an opening balance of 61.604,089 FCFA. Revenue collected for the year stood at 857.317.872 FCFA which gave a total of 918.921.961 FCFA. Meanwhile, its expenditure recorded for the same year came up to 872.229.442 FCFA. With an excess of Revenue over Expenditure totaling the sum of 46.692.519 FCFA.
Several projects were detailed to have been achieved in 2024. Amongst them was rehabilitation and equipping the Bavenga-Ikata Health Centre. Completion and Equipping of the Muyuka Council canteen. Grading of the N0.08 to Mungo River road and rehabilitation/fencing of the Muyuka slaughterhouse.
The Mayor of Muyuka also used the session to announce the imminent award of 27 medals to some meritous staff of the council on May 1, 2025. The plenary, which was first for 2025, was observed by the D.O. for Muyuka, Tanyi Akwo, representing the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, who is the supervisory authority.
In his words, the Muyuka D.O. drummed for massive voter registration. He urged the councillors to take the lead and then encourage their constituents to do the same. The civil administrator further told his hearers to take the civic duty of voting seriously.
