Biya challenges FEICOM to remain key actors in local development

Curtains have been drawn on a weeklong activities organized nationwide to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM.

On this special occasion, President Paul Biya challenged FEICOM to remain key actors in local development. In an except drawn from the Preface of the Golden Book of FEICOM at 40 years, the President of the Republic under whom the patronage is placed noted with satisfaction that “By celebrating its fortieth anniversary in a social and economic context marked by revival and our commitment to lead Cameroon to emergence. FEICOM should remain a key actor.”

Prefacing the Golden Book of FEICOM, President Biya urged FEICOM management and staff to return to work immediately because much is still to be done in order to perfect the decentralization process in the country.

His message on this occasion served as a galvanizing force for FEICOM GM, Philippe Camille Akoa and his entire staff who reiterated their determination in fostering local development in Cameroon.

Separating from the Gala Night at the Yaoundé Hilton Hotel last December 5 during which the anniversary cake was shared, stakeholders in local development pledged to work hand in hand with FEICOM in order to boost Cameroon chances of becoming emergent by 2035 as prescribed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

Foundation stone of FEICOM modern edifice laid

The Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM will finally have a modern edifice to play host to its Head Office in Yaoundé some four decades after assisting councils and city councils in Cameroon to erect councils and town halls nationwide.

Laying the foundation stone last December 4 at the Mimboman neighbourhood in Yaoundé, the personal representative of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey of Finance urged FEICOM staff to use the modern edifice to enhance their productivity as Cameroon is looking forward to becoming an emerging country by 2035.

Welcoming guests at the occasion, Deputy Government Delegate to the Yaoundé City Council, Rose Zang Nguele announced that the city council will embark on the tarring of the road passing across the new FEICOM head office and her announcement was joyfully greeted by FEICOM staff.

On his part, the General Manager of FEICOM, Philippe Camille Akoa stressed that the construction of their Head Office will make them ceased from being referred to as a shoe mender with bad shoes because they just like a shoe mender who spends precious time and energy to fabricate good shoes for other people, FEICOM had been spending time and resources to build other councils and almost neglecting itself.

He explained that the construction work that kicked off in June 2014 was unfortunately halted by heavy rains in Yaoundé and rehabilitation work at the Douala Port that prevented the Chinese company from importing their heavy equipments into Cameroon.

He announced that since things have returned to normal, the Chinese company has promised to catch up with the time delayed.

Territorial Administration and Decentralization Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi who doubles as FEICOM Board Chair underlined that the new building upon completion will offer conducive working environment to FEICOM staff thereby boosting their performance.

FEICOM GM, Philippe Camille Akoa thanking President Biya for the Head Office Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of FEICOM’s modern edifice, the personal representative of President Paul Biya at the occasion, Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey said “Well, 40 years of activities is a great opportunity to celebrate what has been done over the last four decades.

It is in this line that the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya will like to encourage FEICOM staff, social organs and make sure that our decentralization process really takes advantage of the important implication of FEICOM which is giving full support to our councils thereby spearheading the decentralization process and also mobilizing resources channeled to councils.

As you know, it is important to bring balanced development process to our councils and FEICOM is doing a great job and that is why it has received several international recognitions and it is thus worth today’s celebration.

It is also an occasion to project ourselves into the future. 40 years is a big achievement and we want to say that with this new building which will host FEICOM’s Head Office more will be done in line with the Head of State vision of making Cameroon an emerging country by 2035 and making sure that councils are also part of the development process. This is the reason why we are here and we are very grateful that the Head of State designated us to represent him here today.”

Technical description of the Head Office building

Situated at Mimboman under Yaoundé IV Council, the FEICOM Head Office building will be constructed within 36 months over a surface area of 7 hectares of land to the tune of CFA 7 876 589 845 frs. Designed by the Architectural firm, AIDA, in collaboration with a grouping of technical firms SATA AFRIQUE, the project is being realized by China First Highway Engineering Company under the technical supervision of the firm ADRH APAVE.

It is engineering works in the shape of a circle, modern architecture of reinforced concrete framework covered with glass and aluminum, rising in 6 stories around a central courtyard. The building will have 189 offices, amongst which that of the Board Chair, GM and deputy GM, large reception hall, several meeting rooms, conference room, documentation centre, computer severs room etc. The building will have a lift and cutting edge technologies in terms of communication, computer links and security.

The Debate Conference expresses need for FEICOM’s financial autonomy Major highlight in the celebration of FEICOM’s 40th Anniversary at the service of local development was the organization of a debate-conference last December 2 at the Yaoundé City Council Hall chaired by FEICOM GM, Philippe Camille Akoa and moderated by Minister Abouem A Tchoyi. Broken down into 2 panels and animated by the civil society and renowned scholars, the debate conference ended with a vibrant wish that FEICOM should be given a financial autonomy status in order to enable it better finance local development.

Panelist, FEICOM Director of Communication, Suzanne Ngane

In a chat with The SUN, FEICOM’s Director of Cooperation, Partnership, Communication and Archives, Mrs. Suzanne NGANE explained that “We are very proud of the number of projects which FEICOM has funded nationwide and the amount of money distributed to councils. This debate conference was to revisit the past of FEICOM and evaluate its balance sheet with the public who benefit from the services of FEICOM. Projecting into the future, FEICOM wants to finance local development at a higher level.”