Nguti Council makes ground-breaking donations to schools

The Nguti Council, in Kupe-Muenanguba Division, under the inspirational leadership of Mayor Tong Georges Enoh, has reached out to schools in the municipality with the timely donation of didactic materials to 44 primary schools and benches to GSS Babensi I.

However, if there is one institution that shall live to remember Mayor Tong George and the Nguti Council, it is most certainly going to be Government Secondary School, GSS, Babensi 1, found along the Kumba-Mamfe road, where, to the amazement of the 41 students and school authorities of the two-year old institution, their number of benches moved from about 15 to 75 as 60 new ones were donated by the council, September 30.

The ground-breaking donations took place during the Nguti Sub Divisional Basic Education Sectorial Conference that held at the conference hall of the Basic Education Sub Divisional Inspectorate.

The didactic materials worth FCFA 4.5 million, that were highly appreciated by the 44 head teachers of the Sub Division as timely, included several cartons of chalk, pens, pencils, Lesson Note Books, Class Registers, Chat Boards and First Aid drugs to take care of the pupils during an emergency.

The Mayor of Nguti was accompanied to the ceremony by some council authorities, notably the Municipal Treasurer, Sona Makia Simon.

Handing over the materials in the presence of the Inspector of Basic Education for Nguti Sub Division, Same Samuel, the Mayor disclosed that the donation was in fulfillment of the assignment of the Council to assist schools in the municipality by providing materials to enable them effectively kick-start the school year.

Mayor Tong reminded the audience that under the decentralization policy of the state, Basic Education is under the control of councils. ”Education is the foundation stone of meaningful development and the council cannot close her eyes to this very important component that contributes greatly to nation-building” the Mayor stated.

The mayor while regretting the fact that the materials were too meagre as compared to the enrolment of pupils in the locality, nevertheless promised that future donations shall speak volumes.

He cautioned the head teachers to make good use of the materials and make sure that they always try to put the council in the know when their various institutions are in difficulties so that they can offer a helping hand if the means are available.

The Sub Divisional Inspector of Basic Education for Nguti, Same Samuel, who was overwhelmed with joy lacked words to express his joy on behalf of the Nguti Basic Education family. He showered praises on the mayor and the council for their timely intervention in providing the materials when necessary.

While promising the mayor of their unflinching support and collaboration, Same Samuel also urged the head teachers to use the materials for the intended objectives.

The Head Teacher of GS Nguti, noted that the council has done what Napoleon left undone and while hailing the council, promised to match words with action by seeing into it that the materials are used correctly.

GSS Babensi I was created in 2012 by a Prime Ministerial Decree with an authorisation to operate in 2013, GSS Babensi I, started with just about 10 benches, thanks to the Head Teacher of GS Babensi I, who borrowed the school some ”epileptic” benches, the Principal, Metuge Ivo Ekeh, informed the mayor and delegation while receiving on behalf of the school, 60 class benches for his two-year school with 41 students still in a semi permanent structure.

“I am taken aback by this unannounced gesture from the Nguti Council, as you can see for yourself Mr. Mayor we are merely breathing and managing”, the Principal opined with tears of joy. The Principal showered praises on the Mayor and like Oliver Twist asked for more.

He expressed his wish to see more of such gestures made to the school in other domains like the provision of didactic materials and to raise and equip a library for the school.

The School Prefect, Ako Benoit Akuuh, on behalf of the students, while corroborating the Principal, expressed happiness to the council for coming to their rescue. As a pioneer student of the school, his experience sent tears running down the cheeks of all and sundry present.

“With the number of benches now increased, we can comfortably sit one per bench and studies will follow like those of our colleagues in the cities where they have enough”, he averred.

While handing over the benches, the mayor disclosed that after a careful study of the situation of schools in the municipality, he realised that GSS Babensi I was the most hit with problems especially at the level of inadequate benches and lack of a befitting classrooms worthy of a modern secondary school. He promised that the council will not relent her effort to see that children in the municipality benefit from quality education.

He promised to extend another hand of largesse to the school as the academic year unfolds provided that the means are made available at the council’s disposal.

Mayor determined to foster development The Mayor of Nguti council, Tong George Enoh has declared that the council though with the slim means at their disposal, they don’t only intend to make history by virtue of the council envisaged realisations, but ready to break a record in terms of development. He made this declaration on the occasion of the first ordinary session aimed at examining and adopting the 2013 administrative and management accounts of the council.

The meeting was held under the watchful eyes of the SDO for Kupe Muanenguba, Haddison Quetong Konge, took place the council chambers, Wednesday March 26th,2014.

He disclosed that just within some few months the council will in the days ahead, work with the District Medical Officer on the modalities of the distribution of drugs, medication, hospital beds and mattresses worth FCFA 3million to the Nguti purchased by the council. More will be done the Mayor, hinted with the collaboration of all and sundry.

The Mayor narrated that during the period under review, the relationship with the National Community Driven Program, PNDP, attracted another funding with the signing of yet another co-financing agreement.

He observed that the council with funding from ADB embarked on the construction at various strategic points of VIP Toilets worth about FCFA 20million with the assistant from SNV, the council was able to about eleven latrines worth about FCFA 5.5million.He showered praises to the state for her continuance of competence under the decentralisation program as the council benefit from the PIB of about FCFA 50million. At the level of the council revenue, the Mayor didn’t hide his feelings.

He observed that it’s a very shallow Revenue base and reminded the councillors that the presence of Timber giants like WIJMA/CAFECO, have never hardly made meaning to the council, and more that the local tax base is extremely very low reason while he called on the councillors to come up with more serious meaningful proposal on how to raise revenue for that council.

Presenting the Administrative and management Account, the Municipal Treasurer Sona Simon Makia, indicated that the 2013 budgetary execution stood at FCFA 470,800,000 balanced in revenue and expenditure and expenditure.

He disclosed that, total revenue collection stood at FCFA 220.641.907 representing a realisation rate of 46.8%,while expenditure stood at FCFA 194,335,080 representing a percentage realisation of 41.2%.These amounts he opined, leaves an excess of revenue over expenditure that stands at,FCFA 26,360,027,which is basically part of the Nguti council/PNDP co-finance agreement.

The SDO on his part congratulated the Mayor for having injected new blood in the council which is an indication that things will never be the same again. He advises the council to take all necessary measures to regain back the Council Tenders Board so that the realisation of projects with the council will be accelerated.

He however called on them to always be in contact with the divisional tenders board.

The SDO equally called on the Mayor to explore all the possible avenues to source for revenue in the municipality, rather than depending only on the quarterly stipend from government.

The SDO reminded the councilors that all is now set for the tarring of the Kumba-Mamfe road.

The session that saw all the committees reports presented and adopted,had as Proteam Chairman Akumo Ayompe David. Talking to THE SUN at the sidelines of the session, the Municipal Treasurer, Sona Simon Makia, who took over in 4th February 2014, after making past marks in Konye and Ekondo-Titi councils in terms of revenue collection, disclosed that the financial situation in Nguti is a sad one.

He hinted that in Nguti people have houses without Building permits, and that the Nguti has been in the BOT for about 28years with stalls owners paying only FCFA1000 per month to the council, which he qualify as a scandal. With the fact that Nguti is made up of 54 villages, with most of them carrying just petite businesses, he will use his rich professional experience to woo the people pay their taxes in record time. He however noted that though the decentralisation law is not favourable to local council, Nguti must develop.