Contractor owing council FCFA 11mln reported to Governor

Southwest Governor, Benard Okalia Bilai, is expected to decide on the fate of a contractor whose names The Post got as, Isreal Kombe, reportedly owing the Konye Council FCFA 11 million.

The actual debt of FCFA 9 million disclosed during the budgetary session of the Council held on December 15 is said to have accrued from a fine of over FCFA 2 million.

A finance committee report during deliberations urged the Mayor of Konye, George Musima Lobe, to use all measures available to recover the funds.

Shortly after the Councillors' submission was made public, Meme First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer, SDO Veckline Epulewane, disclosed that her hierarchy is requesting the Council to write to the Governor over the issue.

Isreal Kombe, The Post gathered, is the proprietor of Bau Mani Bauk Enterprise. The enterprise was reportedly contracted to recover revenue for the Konye Council in the early days when the Musima-led executive came to the helm of the Konye Municipality.

FCFA 870 Million For 2016

During deliberations, Councillors adopted a proposed budget of FCFA 870 million. The budget witnessed an increase of FCFA 310 million compared to 2015.

The budget read an allocation of FCFA 502 million to investment and FCFA 367 million for recurrent expenditure.

The reason for the increase, according to Mayor Musima, is partially due to the need to contract a loan from the mutual council support Fund, FEICOM. The loan includes FCFA 396 million for the construction of a guest house and FCFA 77 million for the construction of a business centre at Ngolo Bolo.

Musima told his Councillors that the projects have been designed to improve on the revenue base of the Council. He allayed fears expressed by Councillors on the repayment of the loan stating that, the projects, when completed, will generate income to service the loan while the Council pays back from other sources.

Besides the investments in buildings, the Mayor said actions have advanced for the exploitation of two quarries within the municipality that will bring more income to the council.

He reiterated the municipality's interest in hosting the ceremony to inaugurate the construction of the Kumba-Mamfe Road when completed. It was the second time that the municipal authority was making the same appeal to hierarchy.

Speaking at the session, the first assistant SDO said, given the advancement of Council staff, no form of laziness or embezzlement should be tolerated.

Epulewane summoned Councillors and workers to remain constructive if they dream to develop Konye.

To her, more effort should be geared towards road maintenance, waste management, hygiene and sanitation. She promised sanctions on inhabitants of the municipality that will be caught defecating in cocoa farms or the open air.