Public Investment: Measures Taken To Address Limping Execution Of Projects In Mezam.

Commission members at 3rd quarter evaluation session

Stakeholders of the follow-up committee charged with ensuring the proper execution of public investment projects in Mezam Division of the North West region of Cameroon have been called upon to double their efforts towards realising the 97 projects allocated the division for the 2020 physical year.

This was after it was realized during the 3rd quarter participatory follow-up committee meeting of Wednesday October 14th that, of the 97 projects awarded the division this year, just over 25 have been completely executed, close to 40 ongoing with over 30 projects not touched at all.

This puts physical realisation at 45% as at October 14th with financial engagement at 6% as validated by the Mezam divisional delegate of the economy, planning and regional development Mawo Evelyn.

Commission chairperson Nextus Fru flanked by DD MINEPAT Mawo Evelyn (right), Mezam SDO Rep(left) State Counsel Mezam (far right)

The worrying statistics accompany by the fact that even projects below 5 million including supplies that had August 31st as dateline for their execution by mayors and control engineers were still pending, was reason why the commission chairperson Hon. Nestus Fru relaunch calls for the stakeholders to speed up the limping execution process and avoid the sanction sledgehammer.

"Work relentlessly and selflessly for the development of this division, so your name can remain an indelible mark for generations to come" He said.

With just 2 months to the end of this year, the member of parliament for Bamenda/Bali frowned at project owners and contractors who're still sacrificing the anglophone crisis as excuse for not executing projects even in relatively calm areas.

Follow-up committee members

He recommended that remaining contract be send to the finance controller to Visa with immediate effect.

The good news according to the stakeholders however was that all 2020 projects have been awarded.

The evaluation of the physico- financial state of PIB projects at the NW planning and regional delegation also saluted sub divisions that have made great strides in realising pending projects for 2018/19 financial year at a 100% such Bamenda III & II.

These councils have also executed 2020 most of their 2020 projects.

Tubah council was also saluted for executing municipal roads at 100%.

Follow-up committee members

In an interview with the follow-up chairperson, Mnews237 asked if he was sure to attain a 100% realisation with just 2 months left to the end of the year.

His response below

"I am confident because they know the stakes and they've taken the engagement. I believe in them and the state counts on them, and they know the responsibilities are incumbent upon them. Besides what's holding the projects are just procedural hurdles and once they're completed within a few days the percentage will go up to 70%".

To note that public investment projects executed with state budget are projects like Bridges, roads, Street lights, bridges, Street lights, hospitals, schools and their supplies etc, benefiting communities directly.

Delay in their execution is a big hurdle to development.

By Martial Gnoukapasir.