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.