South West:Conciliator reprimands councils over 2024 performance

By Nchendzengang Tatah

The Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (OPIC) for the South West report for 2024 on the regional and municipal councils in the region graded several councils as poor performers. The 107-page document, which is also available on the institution’s website, examined the relationship between local service users and their deliverers—councils in the South West.

Following reports from service providers (contractors), Tiko Council was pinpointed to exhibit “bad faith”. The management of the Tiko Council, though conciliatory sessions with complainers, had chosen to ride contra. “The Head of the Municipal Executive, who had demonstrated a spirit of collaboration during the process and even promised to effect installment settlement of some outstanding bills, suddenly adopted an incomprehensible attitude. This surprising change of attitude compelled our institution… to draw the attention of the Local Representative of the State.” The report stated.

In Kupe Muanenguba, OPIC’s statement in profiling activities of its three councils faulted Tombel for a concentration of powers. It was reviewed that the Mayor had rendered his deputies powerless as he did not give room for them room to carry out their role in council affairs, to the dissatisfaction of the population. Moreover, in Alou of the Lebialem Division – despite council efforts and improving social climate, it was made known that the Mayor was not resident in the area for a long period. This was one of a few cases mentioned that have either relocated officially or personally.

Scored impressive

On the other hand, the Kumba City Council was exemplified by its citizen participation in the development and rehabilitation works on various road stretches. This commendation showed an improvement from the account of 2023. Meanwhile, Wabane in Lebialem earned credits for the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads and the provision of drinkable water to many areas. Similarly, in Tinto, calved into the Manyu Division, despite the ruins of the eight-year-long socio-political climate, it realized an applauded level of project execution. These councils, amongst others, were recognized for their stewardship.

Way forward

The SW OPIC report for 2024 put forth several recommendations before the Presidency to ameliorate municipal council performance in the region. Firstly, it called for regulations to be revised into the instruments governing the discharge of the OPIC’s functions for punishment on disregard by collectivities of OPIC’s mandate and functioning.

Addressing the current helpless garbage disposal state of cities in the region, the report proposed that councils set up autonomous garbage disposal arrangements to cover the gap noticed by HYSACAM. Again, it called on the government to review the allocation of finances to councils. They noted that these funds are, in some cases, not utilized for the general good, reflected in the deplorable state of roads in interior areas. In this line, they further called for funds to be available to councils based on the execution of previous projects and the residents ‘ executives in their municipalities. These, they hope, will improve council performances in the region

The 2024 report was unveiled on April 1 by South West Independent Conciliator Madam Telelen Dorothy Atabong Motaze, to newsmen at the premises of the institution. The press launch was also attended by local authorities, including the president of the South West Regional Assembly and the City Mayor of Limbe. Also present were rights activists like Tambe Tiku, Esther Omam, and Dr. Agbor Meg.