Councilors of Bangem Council have adopted the sum of FCFA 1.1 billion (one billion one hundred million) for the 2024 financial year, representing a 23% (percent) increase compared to that of 2023 which was FCFA 890.200000 (eight hundred and ninety million, two hundred thousand).
This took place during the Second Ordinary Session dedicated to adopt the budget of 2024 of the council, on the 30th of December 2024 at Bangem Council hall.
Addressing councilors during the session, the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher disclosed that this budget is special in that it is presented in a new nomenclature through a program budgeting whose purpose is to do a strategic planning for a period of three years.
He said for 2024, they shall focus on projects like; the construction of the second phase of gravitational water supply in Mombo Bajoh, the creation of a health center in Epen Bajoh, the creation of a fish pond in Bangem, the rehabilitation of road network, extension of electricity to Mbat village, construction of drainage channels and culverts in the Muanenguba tourism site.
Ekungwe added that they also envisaged the establishment of land use plan for Bangem, opening of new streets and the construction of a community hall in Nkack. He also emphasized that more projects have been earmarked and will be coming up within the year, reason for the budget extension by 23%.
Mayor Ekungwe also enumerated their achievements for 2023 which include the effective payment of workers, the construction of new stores in town, the payment of the arrears of some workers which was a major challenge, the offering of holiday jobs to some youths within the municipality, the installation of street lights and a host of others.
He added that from the projected budget of 2023, they effectively realized FCFA 506.515.281 (five hundred and six million, five hundred and fifteen thousand, two hundred and eighty one), representing 56.8% (percent). He noted that the realized budget was due to the public investment budget and additional council taxes to a larger extent.
In his remarks, the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer of Kupe Muanenguba, Djaoné Mouigium called on the council to ensure the maintenance of the good hygiene and sanitary within the town and intensify effective water flow within Bangem.
He added that the creation of new streets should be prioritized considering the fact that new buildings are erected in Bangem daily.
The SDO insisted that in 2024, contracts should be awarded only to competent contractors and to should be strictly supervised. He said they shall not tolerate any delays in the execution of projects.
Djaoné was categorical that all contractors who still have abandoned projects in Bangem Sub Division shall be tracked for the proper execution of those contracts.
Also present was the Divisional Officer of Bangem Sub Division, Felix Kanga.
By Glovise Forsoh
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This year will be glow