AT LAST A BOUNCY BABY IS BORN INTO THE MENCHUM FAMILY

SDO Kamga Charles and Mayor Dighambong Anthony making use of the newly installed Wum Community Radio

After nine months of gestation, nine months of desperately waiting, the anxiety of waiting finally boiled down to the enthusiasm of having at last a veritable communication tool in the hands of the entire Division. No doubt the adage, he who laughs last laughs best. The oldest Division in the Region now has a Radio. The Wum Community Radio, broadcasting on Frequency Modulation 99.9 MHz, has come to stay. The coming of this radio marks the beginning of a new era in the development vision of Wum Council, since communication is an unavoidable tool in the process of development.
Ndefru Melanie, Ewi James Reagan, Ghong Carine Ndum, Aji Camilus and Elvis Penn, will have to write a new history for this Division as a whole, and Wum municipality in particular, as they shall have the daunting task of informing, entertaining and educating the listeners.
The birth of this radio, is a plus since communication is a cornerstone in the development process. The idea of communication in participatory development, draws attention to the emphasis on two-way communication processes, and a departure from one-way communication approach that involve disseminating messages, transmitting information, or persuading people to change their behavior. Participatory development communication, gives preference to horizontal approaches that involve encouraging dialogue centered on problem analysis and a search for solutions, as well as bottom-up approaches that aim to raise the awareness of decision-makers. These approaches are based on a process of community communication reasons why the Wum community radio, has been created to complement our dialogue process.

Mayor Dighambong AnthonyMvo at the Cabin

The relevance of communication to the development of our municipality is an established pattern in development studies. It is borne out of the realization that development is human-centered and thus requires communication for its full realization. Communication is the key to human development and the thread that binds people together. Therefore, development efforts cannot be successful without planned communication because its flow determines the direction and pace of dynamic social development. This is the obvious reason why the National Community Driven Development Program, PNDP, stood by Wum Council, to make sure that a communication tool is given to this old division in order to foster its development.

PNDP cautioning radio staff to make good use of the equipment supplied.

 This write up has just provided an overview of what the council and her development partners have been doing in terms of planned development within the municipality. It is hoped that you will find it very useful. Wishing you the very best in your reading.

COMING SOON....

TO BE RELEASED SOON.

MAYOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY CALLS FOR BAN ON PRODUCTION OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS

The Mayor of Wum Council, Dighambong Anthony Mvo has called on the state to do more to ban the production of plastic containers and papers in the country so as to protect the environment for future generations. He made the call during the launching of activities for the collection of plastic packaging below 61 microns in his municipality which will see some employed youths picking plastic papers and containers from the streets and neighborhoods for recycling.

Over one hundred youths will take part in the program. The youths will be charged with the task of picking up plastic waste to be deposited at the Wum council for transmission to Bamenda.

Mayor Dighambong Anthony waged a war in 2016 against plastic papers and containers and the sale of products in them in his municipality. But this has proven largely difficult to implement due to the lack of national regulation and the power of the multinational brewery companies that produces soft drinks in plastic containers. He said plastic papers take at least 50 years to decompose, and plastic containers at least 400 years. 

“I feel there is a need for Wum council to take the lead in eradicating the use of these plastics to protect the environment. If somebody considers plastic paper, plastic containers, anything plastic useful, then the person may have not known how harmful it is to the environment” he added. He described it as “the worst enemy of the human environment”

If not for the lack of industrial activities in Wum municipality, the waste would have been processed and used as manure, producing bricks to pave slaps or use for roofing. It is worthy to note that the bricks are made only of the processed plastic waste and sand with no water or cement added. The bricks according to the technicians can last for up to 200 years.

Each of the participants will return home with a stipend at the end of the program. The Council still expects many more youths to join in the fight against plastic packaging below 61 microns. 

The Divisional Delegate of Environment, Nature Protection and sustainable development, Mr Fung Fidelis Kah, presented an exposé on the effects of non biodegradable plastics bags on the environment as well as on humans.

Mr Fung Fidelis Kah Divisional Delegate of Environment, Nature Protection and sustainable development

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE DIVISIONAL DELEGATE OF ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTION OF NATURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MENCHUM ON THE OCCASION OF LAUNCHING ACTIVITIES FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC PACKAGING BELOW 61 microns IN WUM SUB DIVISION TODAY 12^TH JANUARY, 2018.

-         The Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum

-         The Lord Mayor Wum Council

-         The Honourable Senator

-         Divisional Delegates and Service Heads

-         Political, Religious and Traditional Authorities

-         Presidents of Development Associations

-         Economic Operators

-         All Other Protocol Duly Respected

-         Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Your presence in great numbers here today from all facets of society is to continue our collective efforts to fight banned plastic packaging in Cameroon. This shows the importance you attach to environmental issues and concerns and particularly to be part of the solution to the environmental challenges of this millennium.

Effects of Plastics bags on the Environment

·        The effects of plastic bags on the environment are really devastating. The biggest problem with plastics is that once they have been soiled/ used, they end up in trash can, which then ends up in the landfill or is burnt. Either solution is very detrimental for the environment. Burning emits toxic gases that harm the atmosphere and increase the level of dioxins and carbon dioxide in the air resulting in ozone layer depletion and consequently global warming and climate change. Those that end up in the landfill site are held there indefinitely as part of the plastic waste problem because some need up to 400 years to decompose completely.

·        Plastic lithering is very unattractive to the environment and affects the aesthetic beauty of the landscape.

·        Plastics block gutters and drainage facilities resulting in flooding in cities and towns when it rains.

·        Plastics when burnt in open air, results in the production of organic persistent pollutants and greenhouse gases which cause acid rain, destruction of the ozone layer resulting in global warming and climate change.

·        Death of pigs and goats when eaten by these animals because of the smell of good food that is usually packaged using these plastics.

·        Medics tell us that they cause cancer in humans.

·        Inhibit the growth of plants when their roots get in contact with buried plastics.

·        They are non-biodegradable and as such pollute the soil making it unfit for cultivation of crops and the growth of trees.

          In the search for a permanent ecologic management of waste and the protection of the environment, the Cameroon government across the MINEPDED had elaborated several important texts of application of the framework law relative to the management of waste.

For the effective and efficient implementation of the joint Arrêté MINEPDED/MINCOMMERCE of 24/10/2012 regulating the manufacture, importation and commercialization of non-biodegradable plastic packaging below 61 microns many activities have been realized. Encouraging results and a massive adhesion of the population have equally been obtained. Nevertheless, Banned plastics are still in circulation despite all attempts to stop them. For this reason, the state of Cameroon across the budget of MINEPDED has supported the Wum council amongst other councils in the fight against banned plastics in Cameroon.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the principal objective of this support to councils is to ensure cleanliness of the population’s environment through the fight and collection of waste from banned plastic packaging. To this effect, the population is called upon to adopt more civic behaviour by the non-production/usage of banned plastics below 61 microns. In addition, banned plastics will be seized, collected/picked from nature, streets, public places and stored in the council for their eventual transportation to the divisional delegation of MINEPDED.

The Wum council will recruit youths and or sign contracts with NGOs and associations working in the domain of environmental protection for an efficient collection. The collection/ seizure, sanction, gratification will take place in the months of February and March while Quantification, storage of collected plastic waste, and elaboration and transmission of report take place in the month of April 2018.

At the end of this exercise, Wum Council is expected to attain the following expected results laid down by MINEPDED:

v 70% of the population is sensitized on the negative effects of plastic packaging below 61 microns.

v At least 80% of plastics abandoned in nature are collected. (non-biodegradable plastics)

v At least 70% of defaulters of the regulation in force are known and sanctioned.

v A final report of activities realised showing justification of expenditures and a Proces-Verbal of reception of stocks of plastics collected is transmitted at the end of the operation to MINEPDED.

Let’s therefore put hands on deck to ensure this operation be successful for a clean and healthy environment to inhabitants of Wum Sub-division and the Menchum division at large.

Long live Wum Council;

Short live banned plastic packaging below 61 microns

Long live the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development;

Long live the Republic of Cameroon.

COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY'S ADDRESS DURING 2018 BUDGETARY SESSION

 

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY MVO, LORD MAYOR OF THE WUM COUNCIL, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXAMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2018 DRAFT BUDGET, TODAY 12^TH OF DECEMBER 2017 AT THE WUM TOWN HALL.

Ø THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER FOR MENCHUM,

Ø THE DIVISIONAL OFFICER WUM SUB DIVISION,

Ø HONOURABLE COUNCILLORS,

Ø DIVISIONAL DELEGATES AND SERVICE HEADS,

Ø POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES,

Ø THE FON OF AGHEM, FONS AND ARDOS,

Ø PRESIDENTS OF DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS,

Ø ECONOMIC OPERATORS ,

Ø PRESIDENTS OF SOCIO PROFESSIONAL GROUPS,

Ø EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ELITE,

Ø DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN;

I am highly delighted to stand in your presence once more on this unique occasion of the budget session for 2018, recording the fifth consecutive time in presenting the action and economic plan of this Municipality by way of the budget for the next financial year. On behalf of the councilors and the entire population, I wish to heartily welcome you all to this our annual rendez-vous, especially the Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum Division Mr. KAMGA Charles, who is attending it for the very first time.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          We have scored the goals, our achievements are visible that even the blind who cannot see would touch. At times I ask myself if this could still be the son of that poor tapper at the steering of this wonderful bulldozer that is opening the roads to make it practicable for us all. It would not have ever been possible without your inspirations and most importantly all your prayers. I am today and would forever remain indebted to these prayers. All I can say is like our blessed Mother Teresa “Be Kind to each other in your home. Be kind to those who surround you. I prefer that you make mistakes in kindness rather than work miracles in unkindness”.

Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen,

          We are all witnesses of the difficulties and challenges we are facing today resulting to a decadence of our economic activities. It is in this light therefore, that the 2018 budget for Wum Council Christian “the budget of community Involvement and participatory development” has witnessed a drastic drop to march this unfortunate situation and for us to at the end have a very realistic and feasible budget that would serve and meet the aspirations and needs of the population. The budget we are about to examine balances in revenue and Expenditure at the sum of six hundred and ninety five million, seventy five thousand (695.075.000) Francs CFA, this represents 74.9% of the Budget for 2017. The Investment Budget is three hundred and seventy three million, eight hundred thousand (373.800.000) francs CFA, giving a percentage of 53.8% which is more than the stipulated amount of at least 40% of the total Budget.

The operating or functional expenses stand at three hundred and twenty one million, two hundred and seventy five thousand (321.275.000) Francs that is 46.2% which is less than the prescribed maximum of 60% of the total Budget. The personnel expenses is one hundred million (100.000.000) Francs, that gives a percentage of 31.1% of the functional budget, which is again is less than the required maximum of 35% of the functional Budget.

          Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          The above statistics have been fashioned to realize the projects below, whose details can be gotten from the annual Investment Plan drawn out village by village and as per their different Ministries  and of course the cost attached. The projects are:

-         Construction of a box Culvert at Waindo Village;

-         Extension of Electricity from Mua-gha to Kelang;

-         Planting of Trees around catchments (1 in Bu and 2 in Wum);

-         Construction of a culvert linking Wajung to Bua-ichie;

-         Planting of ornamental trees along major streets in Wum;

-         Creation of a municipal cemetery at Dzejam;

-         Creation of a refuse dump site at Dzejam;

-         Support to PTA’s of some Primary schools by way of recruiting teachers and roofing sheets ;

-         Extension of electricity and provision of transformer to GPS Group I and II Wum;

-         Creation of holiday jobs and scholarships for youths of the municipality;

-         Dragging and opening of the main drainage lane of 4km long in Wum town;

-          Rehabilitation of farm to market road GTHS junction – Ngoom – Kecha;

-         Construction of a workshop for the Manufacture of compress earth Bricks;

-         Construction of 22 closed market sheds in Wum main market;

-         Complete the back filling of Ghidze food market;

-         Grading of 4km of earth roads within the municipality;

-         Construction of a box culvert linking Bu road and Tshakendze;

-         Purchase of a second handed Grader;

-         Support to the vulnerable population;

-         Organization of Wum Council Unity tournament;

-         Extension of electricity to Tselefenyei Quarter;

-         Extension of water in Bangwe village;

-         Rehabilitation of Water scheme at Tshakendze;

-         Award of scholarships to female Science students;

-         Construction of a milk collection centre;

-         Construction of a Zoo Technical Centre;

-         Construction of a centre for CEAC;

-         Construction of a toilet at G.S Mbu-uh.

           Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          I want to salute all of us devoted and courageous parents that have been able to send our children to school and are able to open our business premises throughout. Our Unity has been greatly threatened but all I know is that, may we practice the spirit of forgiveness and togetherness. We know that even though the eyes don’t see each other, they see things together, blink simultaneously and cry together. The razor blade is shape but can’t cut a tree, the axe is strong but can’t cut the hair. This is Unity. Let us therefore remain conscious of the future of our children and the future of our economy and peaceful country. We are witnesses of all the fake promises and lies but Mahatma Ghandi says “truth alone will endure: all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time”. We also learn from Edgar Mohn who quips “A lie has speed, but truth has endurance”.

          Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          It a great day for us designated by the almighty. May we continue to work together and to share together all for the glory of God and for the good of man. If we cannot act, let us speak and if we can’t speak let us pray. Let us at least do something at any given time for ourselves and our dear Municipality.

          Long live the Wum Municipality

          Long live the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization

           Long live Cameroon.