Meme State budget clocks 24.9 per cent execution

The 2014 Public Investment Budget (PIB) for Meme stands at FCFA 533,951,000 with Mbonge Sub-division not only having the greatest share of FCFA 148,730,000 but equally has 21 out of the 67 projects earmarked for the division. These amounts were made public during the first quarter Meme Divisional Participatory Committee meeting for the follow up of the execution of the Public Investment Budget projects for 2014.

The meeting that brought together development stakeholders, members of the civil society, contractors and traditional rulers, was chaired by Honorable Atinda Martin Mboni, Chairman of the Meme Divisional Participatory Follow Up Committee of the PIB under the watchful eyes of the Second Assistant Divisional Officer for Meme, Yongkuma Nelson Gamsi.

According to the Divisional Delegate of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) for Meme, Buinda Godlove, of the 67 projects earmarked for the Division, only eight have being executed, with 37 presently undergoing execution, while about 30 have not being executed. He noted that the Tender Process for the projects is on course.

With all these, the MINEPAT boss said the projects have witnessed a 14.80 per cent financial execution, thus FCFA 36,231,000 total engagement and 24.90 per cent physical execution. He was optimistic that despite the slow rate of execution recorded so far, Meme Division will execute its projects in record time. The Chairman of the Follow Up Committee, Honorable Atinda Martin, on his part, called on the contractors who are knocking at the doors of the Meme Divisional Tenders Board for contracts, to be very serious.

He reminded them that reports forwarded to CONAC, the Supreme State Audit, the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court, MINATD, and even the National Assembly will bring them to book. Reasons why he reminded them to avoid suitcase contractors who disappear into thin air after collecting money for unrealised projects.

Stakeholders were unanimous that the resolution suspending a certain contractor, Mr Ndagum, from being awarded a contract in the Division be maintained. Reason, they explained, is that he took close to three years to execute a project at the Ikiliwindi site in Konye Sub-division that was meant for a year.