Municipal Councillors of the Bamenda III Council gathered at the Council Hall on Wednesday, December 4, to deliberate on and approve the initial budget for the year 2025. The session was marked by the presence of key figures, including the Divisional Officer for Bamenda III Sub Division, the personal representative of the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, law enforcement officials, and various development partners.
After extensive discussions, the councillors unanimously adopted a balanced budget totaling 784,794,904 FCFA. The revenue is expected to be sourced from a variety of channels, including discharge taxes, equalized taxes from FEICOM, proceeds from the exploitation of council lands and services, as well as investment grants from the state and other development partners.
The approved budget will prioritize several critical areas including Infrastructure Development. Plans are in place for the opening of new roads, extension of water supply systems, and maintenance of broken pipelines and tanks. With regards to Community Development, initiatives include the creation of green spaces in towns, organization of mini agricultural shows, recruitment of youth for holiday jobs, and the donation of football trophies to foster community spirit. In line with the administrative costs, the budget will also cover essential administrative expenses, including salaries and social insurance contributions.
However, the meeting was overshadowed by land dispute between the Nkwen and Bamendakwe communities. This incident has raised significant concerns among councillors, who urged the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam to step in and mediate a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict. In addition to these pressing issues, councillors voiced their alarm regarding the Mbelewa waste dump site, which has become a health hazard for local residents. They proposed immediate measures to enhance waste disposal practices and advocated for a comprehensive long-term strategy to either relocate or better manage the waste site.
Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe expressed his commitment to addressing these community concerns effectively. “With the adoption of this budget exceeding 700 million FCFA, we are dedicated to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the needs of our community are met,” he stated.
As Bamenda III Council embarks on implementing its budgetary plans for 2025, it remains clear that while progress is being made in infrastructure and community development, significant challenges lie ahead that require urgent attention and collaboration among all stakeholders involved.
