BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA
The Mayor of Limbe III Council in Bimbia, Nseke Dibotti Luma says the Council will run on a budget of FCFA 700,000,000 with a slight decrease of 12.5% from last year’s budget which stood at FCFA 800, 000, 000.
The decrease, he noted, is to vote a realistic and attainable budget. He added that implementing the program budget requires adjusting targets via-a-vis yearly realisation of the budget.
He made this revelation on Wednesday December 21, 2022 during the 2nd ordinary session of the Limbe III Council dedicated for examination and adoption of 2023 budget held at the Conference Chambers of the Limbe III Council.
Presenting the budget Nseke Dibotti said the budget which is balance in both revenue and expenditure at the sum of FCFA 700, 0000 000 with recurrent revenue of FCFA 350, 0000, 000 representing 50% of the budget, investment revenue stands at FCFA 350,000,000 representing 50% of the budget and recurrent expenditure stands at FCFA 350,000,000 making 50%.
“Tax evasion by some economic operators is probably the biggest reason Limbe III municipality is experiencing financial challenges“,
“Not only do some of unscrupulous persons instigate economic operators not to pay their dues and even our reports to the Administration remain unheeded.” Nseke Dibotti said.
He added that three times at Dockyard the recovery team of the Council and Marine Merchande elements who went for tax recovery were attacked and beaten by some fishermen. “A few weeks ago during same exercise an element of the gendarmerie was beaten and his handcuff seized and remains missing till date”,
“One of the perpetrators of this act was arrested but released without any apparent consequences. Sir, we are frustrated by the arrogance of these people who openly insinuate they are untouchable to Administration.” Nseke Dibotti explained.
He also lamented that for the past years they have experienced decline in tourism activities as few visitors visit the slave trade site and other tourism destinations. “Even the efforts by the Ministry of Arts and Culture for the World Heritage declaration of Bimbia slave trade site haven’t yielded any desired.” Nseke Dibotti added.
On his part, the supervisor authority of councils in Fako Division, Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division, SDO, Chaibou urged the councillors and Mayor to work in synergy and create more venues to generate revenue to alleviate the dying Council which has been for over 20 months without paying staff salaries.
He equally urged the Municipal treasurer to work in close collaboration with the Mayor to know what comes in and goes out in term of finance.
Chaibou challenged the Mayor to put the interest of the municipality first in his scale of priorities.
Limbe III Mayor, Nseke Dibotti Luma addressing councillors
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