Councilors of Bangem Council have adopted the sum of FCFA one billion, one hundred and forty million (1.140.000.000) for 2025 fiscal year, signifying a 4 % (four percent) increase compared to 2024.
This took place at the First Ordinary Session for the examination and adoption of the Bangem Council budget for 2025 holding at the council hall on January 7, 2025.
In an address presented by the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher, he retrospect that as at December 15, 2024, the council realized the sum of FCFA one billion (1.000.000.000) out of the FCFA one billion, one hundred million (1.100.000.000) adopted for 2024, giving a realization rate of 90%.
He said compared to 2024, the increase in the budget is as a result of many projects in the pipeline for the 2025 fiscal year, especially projects to be funded by Road Fund and FEICOM.
He assured that with the increase in budget projection, they will do all it takes to boot local revenue collection.
According to the Mayor, the various project earmarked for 2025 will enhance public services, equitable development and create new opportunities for all who call Bangem home.
2025 Projects
In the various committee reports, projects earmarked for 2025 include; the construction of 14 lockup stores at the Bangem Central Market, opening of Ebamut-Nkonte farm to market road, construction of an amusement center, equipping of the fish pond, construction of a bridge over River Ehukoh, construction of a bridge over River Muambong, provision of solar lights, construction of culverts and roundabout in Bangem, completion of Bangem Council staff canteen, extension of street lights within Muakwe, Ekambeng and Njom and the provision of equipment and didactic materials to some schools within the municipality.
SDO
In his remarks, the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of Kupe Muanenguba, Djaone Mouguim, sitting in for the SDO, Mungambo Ekema William, cautioned councilors to collaborate community groups to build a more vibrant society.
He said since the citizens they serve deserve to know how their resources are being managed, they should foster an environment of trust and strengthen the bond between the council and the population.
Mouguim reminded that their 2025 budget which witnessed an increase of FCFA 40 million largely depends on state allocation with very little income from local collection.
He instructed them to generate projects that will boost revenue collection and also plant crops that will bring income to the council.
The SDO also told councilors to step up with the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bangem water project to avoid water related diseases.
He reminded both the executive and deliberative arm of the council to sensitize their population to register massively with ELECAM for the forthcoming Presidential and other elections.
Other Matters
Other matters discussed at the session was the need to handle salary arrears of council worker, the need for workers to improve themselves by going in for training, the introduction of household meters to control water consumption in Bangem, the need to stop people from blocking gutters with garbage, strategies to get people pay for building permits, curbing exorbitant transport fare by bike riders, grading of roads, tactics to handle abandoned projects by contractors, amongst others.
By Ahone Jessy
