The Member of Parliament for Kupe Muanenguba II Constituency, who doubles as the Chairman of the Kupe Muanenguba Divisional Follow-up Committee for the execution of Public Investment Budget, Hon Dr. Fonge Julius has threatened to bring the National Anti-Corruption Commission, CONAC and Supreme State Audit to Kupe Muanenguba Division.
Dr. Fonge was speaking in Bangem, July 12, 2024 during the second quarter divisional participatory follow-up committee meeting for the execution of the 2024 Public Investment Budget, PIB in Kupe Muanenguba.
Addressing stakeholders in the meeting, the Chairman said it has come to his notice that some contractors in the division win contracts but fail to effectively execute them. He lamented that contractors connive with some state engineers to receive these projects.
“Some even abandon projects but end up receiving payment in complicity with state engineers. Desist from these malpractices and contribute to the development of this division”. He warned.
The Chairman disclosed that for those who remain recalcitrant, legal actions shall be taken against them. “In situation where this committee cannot act, we shall bring in CONAC, the Supreme State Audit and even the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator, OPIC, South West Region”. He announced.
He said for 2024 financial year, the division received one billion, seventy five million, twenty five thousand (1.075.025.000) FCFA for forty seven projects.
The MP added that during the first quarter, the physical execution rate stood at 3.75% while the financial execution rate was 0%. He said currently, they are at a physical execution rate of 39.93% and financial rate of 20.26%.
He called on all stake holders to redouble their efforts for a 100% execution rate by the end of the year.
Councils
In his presentation, the Divisional Delegate of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Kupe Muanenguba, Ntoi Eugene disclosed that Bangem Council with fourteen projects tops the chart with 64.83% physical execution rate and 36.87% financial execution.
He said Nguti Council with thirteen projects was at 9.01% physical execution rate and 3.30% financial execution.
Meanwhile Tombel Council with eight projects trailed with 0% physical execution and 0% financial execution.
The presentations followed exchanges with the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher, who defended projects executed by his council. The Secretary General of Nguti Council, Ebune Winslow also defended his council. Tombel Council had no representative in the meeting.
The presentations followed exchanges with the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher, who defended projects executed by his council. The Secretary General of Nguti Council, Ebune Winslow also defended his council. Tombel Council had no representative in the meeting.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Fonge denounced the absence of Tombel Council from the meeting though they received invitations. He called on Nguti and Tombel to emulate Bangem Council in order to build a solid Kupe Muanenguba.
Present at the meeting was head of technical services, civil society organizations and traditional rulers.
By Olive Ejang
