ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY MVO AT THE 2020 DRAFT BUDGET

Mayor Dighambong Welcoming Councillors

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY MVO, LORD MAYOR OF THE WUM COUNCIL, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXAMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2020 DRAFT BUDGET, TODAY 14^TH OF NOVEMBER 2019 AT THE WUM TOWN HALL.

Ø THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER FOR MENCHUM,

Ø THE DIVISIONAL OFFICER WUM SUB DIVISION,

Ø MEMBERS OF THE UPPER AND LOWER HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY

Ø HONOURABLE COUNCILLORS,

Ø DIVISIONAL DELEGATES AND SERVICE HEADS,

Ø POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES,

Ø FONS AND ARDOS,

Ø PERSIDENTS OF DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS,

Ø ECONOMIC OPERATORS ,

Ø PRESIDENTS OF SOCIO PROFESSSIONAL GROUPS,

Ø EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ELITE,

Ø DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMENT;

It is with great joy that I am standing on behalf of  the Councillor and staff of Wum council for the sixth consecutive time to welcome you all to this annual rendez-vous of budget session. We want to welcome in a special way the Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum Division Mr. ABDOULAHI ALIOU, in abstention due to some unforeseen circumstances and  who was supposed  to attend for the first time.

I would like to thank all and sundry for the wonderful collaboration, support and sacrifices each and every one of you gave us to be able to record the wonderful successes that we have together achieved. I really lack words to appreciate your unlimited prayers to us. I preserve you all in the innermost of my heart. Thank you so much and my wish is for God to hear my prayers to you all as we continue to pray for you each other.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          We have scored the goals for our mandate, our promises realized, our achievements are visible that even the blind and the dumb who cannot see nor hear would touch or feel. We have been able to open the roads to make it practicable for us all. This would not have ever been possible without your inspiration. I am today and would forever remain indebted to these prayers. All I can say is “Happiness keeps you sweet! trials keep you strong! sorrows keep you human! Failures keep you Humble! And Gog Keeps you going!”.

Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen,

          We are all witnesses of the difficulties and challenges we are facing today due to the socio-political situation in our two English speaking regions. As we all can testify, it has resulted to a decadence of our economic activities. It is in this light therefore, that the 2020 budget for Wum Council Christened “the budget of Reconciliation and Reconstruction” has witnessed an increase to make up with what we have not been able to accomplish and for us to 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 Nine hundred and thirty five million, three hundred and thirty thousand (935,330.000) Francs CFA, this represents an increase of 16.2% of the Budget for 2019. The Investment Budget is Five hundred and seventy four million, One hundred  and Ninety two thousand, seven hundred and sixty seven  (574,192,767) francs CFA, giving a percentage of 61.4% which is more than the stipulated minimum amount of at least 40% of the total Budget.

The operating or functional expenses stand at Three hundred and sixty one million, one hundred and thirty seven thousand two hundred and thirty three (361.137.233) Francs that is 38.6% which is less than the prescribed maximum of 60% of the total Budget. The personnel expenses is Ninety eight million two hundred and twenty seven thousand, two hundred and thirty three (98.227.233) Francs, that gives a percentage of 27.2% 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 streamlined 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:

-         Supply of 2 tables and 2 chairs to GS Zatesang,

-         Construction of a blokc of 2 classrooms and a regular Office in GS Zatesang;

-         Supply of Benches to GS Zatesang;

-         Supply of materials for inclusive education

-         Supply of teaching Aids for Inclusive education;

-         Support to BIHNDUMLEM for the Empowering of rural woen in Economic and social Life;

-         Rehabitation of GPS Group I;

-         Rehabilitation of GPS groups II;

-         Supply of Benches to some Primary Schools;

-         Construction of 34 Market Sheds in the wum main market;

-         Support in the LRAS in the fight against Plastic materials;

-         Construction of an Agric Post in the Wum council;

-         Rehabilitation of the Naikom - Ketcha – Naikom Road (11Km)

-         Grading of (9KM) of some streets in Wum Town;

-         Equipment of Ukpwa Health Centre

-         Equipment of Wum District Hospital;

-         Equipment of Bu Health Centre;

-         Support to Vulnerable population in Wum Council;

-         Equipment of Women Empowerment Centre Wum;

-         Rehabilitation of the Women Empowerment Centre in Wum Council;

-         Construction of a mini  fence round the Women Empowerment Centre in Wum;

-         Construction of Wum main roundabout;

-         Purchase of second handed Front head loader;

-         Opening of gutters from TRADEX Petrol station to Lake Nyos Hotel;

-         Construction of a metallic culvert (D.1.000) between Sir Wallang’s building and the main market

-         Construction of an Embarkment behind the  Wum main market

-         Construction of a vip toilet at the wum council office

-         Rehabilitation of water source at waindo

-         Rehabilitation of two classroom at GS Aguli

-         Organization of Wum council Tournament;

-         Construction of a Box culvert on JOPACC road;

-         Rehabilitation of Catchment and Extension of water in Cheregha village;

-         Construction of a Monument at Post Office roundabout.

           Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          I know the challenges we all go through on daily basis are quite enormous, but all I continue to reiterate is that, we should 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 teeth bites the tongue every moment, but they are condemned to stay together. Let us learn from Mahatma Ghandi who says “truth alone will endure: all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time”. Also Edgar Mohn quips “A lie has speed, but truth has endurance”.

          Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

 Our right and wrong circumstances should always be our real moments of looking up to God for his ever great intervention, for when you are winning a battle the devil becomes very fierce. May we continue to work together and to share together all for the glory of God and for the good of mankind. We must continue to do something as individuals or families, in thanks giving for our being and for our dear Municipality.

          Long live the Wum Municipality

            Long live the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development

             Long live the Republic of Cameroon.

PEACE TALK ON THE OCCASION OF THE WPFD, BAMENDA 27/4/2019

BE THE PEACE WE PREACH!

When I was tasked to present a paper on peace, without any thematic, I even wondered why journalists who are ordinarily propellers of peace, and many of whom have taken lessons on the new concept of Peace journalism at that, should be given a peace talk? One too many, and boring? Deep in me I thought it was of no moment because it may be the same refrain.

But on a fore thought, I reminded myself that in these deciding times, it is imperative for us to decide, to commit, to make a concerted effort to reach out in ever-expanding circles of affinity and embrace. Our society has been fractured and desecrated by the quest for peace. Yes the quest for peace has brought Anglophones to where they now find themselves, and ironically it is the same quest for peace that has put Cameroon, I mean its government at the crossroads. And so you see, Peace can be acceptance as well as refusal, sometimes simultaneously. While the government seems to accept the status quo, the Anglophone community is rejecting it, and simultaneously both entities want peace. What a paradox!

I am not going to bore you with a revision class of all the tenets of Peace Journalism that we have been choked with in our various workshops, talk of drumming on who carries the blame as to where we all find ourselves? Rather, I will prefer that we all open our consciences and judge if we are the peace we preach!

There really is still a chance for peace. But it is ultimately up to us, each one of us, all of us, individually and together, to create the kind of world in which we want to live — to be the change we seek — starting right here, right now. How do we handle issues, I should say differences amongst ourselves, is it the attitude of slow sarcasm intended to hurt? Is it one of cleaning off a banana peeling on a colleague’s pathway so that our practice and professional career can really thrive? Or it is a mind-set of greed and pride even at the cost of the inner peace of a colleague? We all know where we fall, I am simply reflecting, maybe soliloquizing.

Dear colleagues, you know, there really is still a chance for peace and that chance will definitely increase if we each do our piece. So let’s each do our piece and make peace — in our homes, in our own hearts, in our relationships, in our communities, in our Nation in all of our dealings and in the world. Peace be with us all.

Happy World Press Freedom Day, 2019

Mokun Njouny Nelson

Manager Foundation Radio

Vice president CCMN NW/W

SPEECH OF COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY MVO DURING 2019 DRAFT BUDGET

Councillor Dighambong Anthony Mvo

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR DIGHAMBONG ANTHONY MVO, LORD MAYOR OF THE WUM COUNCIL, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXAMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2019 DRAFT BUDGET, TODAY 28^TH OF DECEMBER 2018 AT THE WUM TOWN HALL.

Ø THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER FOR MENCHUM,

Ø THE DIVISIONAL OFFICER WUM SUB DIVISION,

Ø THE MEMBERS OF THE UPPER AND LOWER HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY

Ø HONOURABLE COUNCILLORS,

Ø DIVISIONAL DELEGATES AND SERVICE HEADS,

Ø POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES,

Ø THE FON OF AGHEM, FONS AND ARDOS,

Ø PERSIDENTS OF DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS,

Ø ECONOMIC OPERATORS ,

Ø PRESIDENTS OF SOCIO PROFESSSIONAL GROUPS,

Ø EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ELITE,

Ø DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMENT;

I am honoured and at the same time with mixed feelings  to stand in your presence once more on this unique occasion of the draft budget session for 2019, recording the sixth consecutive time in presenting the action and economic and development 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 second consecutive time.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          We have scored the goals for our mandate, our promises realized, our achievements are visible that even the blind and the dumb who cannot see nor hear would touch or feel. We have been able to open the roads to make it practicable for us all. This would not have ever been possible without your inspiration. 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 due to the socio political situation in our two English speaking regions. As we all can testify, it has resulted to a decadence of our economic activities. It is in this light therefore, that the 2019 budget for Wum Council Christian “the budget of Economic Development , relief and unity in diversity” has witnessed an increase to make up with what we have not been able to accomplish and for us to 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 seven hundred and eighty three million six hundred and twenty eight thousand (783.628.000) Francs CFA, this represents an increase of 12.75% of the Budget for 2018. The Investment Budget is four hundred and sixty million eight hundred and twenty eight thousand (460.828.000) francs CFA, giving a percentage of 58% which is more than the stipulated minimum amount of at least 40% of the total Budget.

The operating or functional expenses stand at three hundred and twenty two million, five hundred thousand (322.500.000) Francs that is 41.19% which is less than the prescribed maximum of 60% of the total Budget. The personnel expenses is Ninety nine million (99.000.000) Francs, that gives a percentage of 30.82% 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 streamlined 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:

-         Equipment of GS Nyoh with two chairs and two tables,

-         Construction of two classrooms at GS Nyoh,

-         Supply of 60 benches at GS Nyoh,

-         Financial Support to BIHDUMLEM,

-         Supply of equipments to Local solution to 19 villages

-         Rehabilitation of Court Yard to Waindo road,

-         Construction of a bridge at PK 4.5 on the GTHS Junction to Kecha,

-         Construction of a bridge at PK 0+100 on the Wanangwen-Ngouh Road

-         Support in the LRAs in the fight against plastic materials

-         Equipment of Zoo technical and Veterinary centre Kesu

-         Construction of Zoo technical and Veterinary centre Kesu

-         Aerial single phase Electrification of Ukpwa

-         SAR/SM Wum equipping infrastructure in the vocational Training college,

-         SAR/SM Wum Construction of a Carpentry workshop,

-         Rehabilitation of Tsakendze- Prince Bilingual (Kesu) road (2.5Km),

-         Organization of Wum council tournamemnt,

-         Purchase of a second handed grader in Wum Council

-         Planting of ornamental trees along major streets in wum council area,

-         Opening of gutters from TRADEX to TOTAL roundabout,

-         Equipment support to vulnerable population

-         Construction of a metallic culvert between Sir Wallang΄s building and the main market;

-         Opening of gutters from Morning star to Kelly Killi (Bu road)

-         Construction of a modern toilet at GS Itiaku;

-         Extension of Water supply for a distance of 2Km and the construction of 2 stand taps at Tselakeghei;

-         Construction of water source at Waindo;

-         Rehabilitation of a  water catchment at cheregha overside

-         Extension of Water supply for a distance of 2.5Km and the construction of 3 stand taps at cheregha overside.

           Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

          I want to salute all of us the devoted, brave and courageous business persons who have opened our business premises throughout. Our Unity has been greatly threatened, our challenges I know, are enormous but all I continue to reiterate is that, we should 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. Let us learn from Mahatma Ghandi who 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,

 Our right and wrong circumstances should always be our real moments of looking up to God for his ever great intervention, for when you are winning a battle the devil becomes very fierce. May we continue to work together and to share together all for the glory of God and for the good of mankind. If we cannot act, let us speak and if we can’t speak let at least meditate and pray. At any given time do something in thanks giving for our being         and for our dear Municipality.

            Long live the Wum Municipality

             Long live the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development

            Long live Cameroon.