Tombel Council, Kupe Muanenguba Division, has voted the sum of FCFA one billion, two hundred and fifty million for the 2025 financial year.
Compared to the 2024 budget that stood at FCFA one billion, four hundred and eighty eight million, the 2025 budget witnessed a decrease of two hundred and twenty million, seven hundred and sixty six thousand, four hundred and eighty thousand (220.766.480).
In his welcome address, the First Deputy Mayor of the Council, Enongene Bazie Boly on behalf of the Mayor, Rose Ngassa, said the new budget is more realistic. He called on councilors to work in synergy for the achievement of their objectives.
According to Enongene, the decrease in the 2025 budget is because of a drop in local collection and government subsidies from FEICOM and the Public Investment Budget.
He urged councilors to set up a collection mechanism for constant follow-up for the realization of the budget.
To the workers of Tombel council, the Mayor warned that the time of laziness and laissez-faire is over. He said workers’ monthly output should be commensurate to their salaries. He instructed the Secretary General to hold regular departmental meetings to coordinate workers.
Earmarked Projects
For 2025, Enongene announced that some council equipment like the photocopier and computers need to be replaced. He said Tombel water system will be rehabilitated with the construction of a reservoir to curb the water crisis especially in the dry season.
He added that they plan to buy two tricycles for the collection of refuse, the construction of a business center at the former SG’s residence, the renovation of the council building, the opening of farm to market roads, construction of block of classrooms, construction of hospital road with pavement bricks, the purchase of a grader, support to Common Initiative Groups, the construction of a health centre in Ngombo-ku, amongst others.
In his remarks, the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer of Kupe Muanenguba, Djaone Mouguim described the council as a platform of dialogue and mechanism to address pressing needs of communities.
He said they should implement local development projects according to challenges faced by the council. “We must collaborate with various stakeholders to build a more vibrant and inclusive society”. He added.
The SDO cautioned that the citizens they serve deserve to know how their resources are utilized by fostering an environment of trust and open communication to strengthen the bond of communities they represent.
Purchase of Grader Sparks Controversy
Reacting after the presentation of the Finance Committee report, Councilor Nhon Eselle Elage, the Municipal Group President of Tombel Council said FCFA 80 million budgeted in addition to FCFA 100 million given by the government to buy a grader at FCFA 180 million was exorbitant. He proposed that the old council caterpillar be sold and the money be used to buy a new grader.
Also, Councilor Ngalame Hypolite pointed that the additional FCFA 80 million for the grader is very high. He proposed that the amount be reduced to FCFA 60 million.
Councilor Kome Ngalame Fred was not happy that FCFA 85 million was budgeted for fuel and lubricant while FCFA 35 million was budgeted for the construction of rural roads. He said this should have been the reverse.
At the end of the deliberations, the budget was adopted with the proposed adjustments made.
