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| Tiko Councillors at Group Work during the session |
By Christopher Ambe Shu
Residents of the coastal town of Tiko(in Cameroon), the local administration and visitors are agreed that, Richard Tita Fombon, alias American Boy who has been Mayor of Tiko, just for several months, is matching words with action and will go far with the realization of projects should he continue to enjoy the support and collaboration of those who matter.
Mr Tita Fombon had promised to transform Tiko for the better if elected Mayor and the Tiko Population, believing him ,elected him. Even when he was installed as Mayor he reiterated that promise.
During the Second Ordinary Session of Tiko Council, last December, for the examination and adoption of the Council’s 2008 budget and the examination of the administrative accounts for 2006, the councilors-just as the general public has been doing, praised the mayor for what he had done in just few months in office to improve the quality of life in the municipality. They exhorted him not to relent in his efforts to help develop and modernize Tiko.
The session adopted as the council 2008 budget- in revenue and expenditure, FCFA 515 million, 5.85% higher compared to the 2007 budget which stood at FCFA 486 million FCFA.Of the FCFA 515 million, 284 million is for investment budget and 231 million is recurrent expenditure.
But what has the mayor achieved to draw accolade from the public?
The achievements of Mayor Tita Fombon in the few months include: the rehabilitation of some major roads and the Tiko municipal stadium; the renovation of council offices for conducive working environment; the control of civil status documents by use of the dry seal; the daily cleaning of streets of Mutengene,Likomba and Tiko and the speedy evacuation of refuse in partnership with HIGH-TECH.;the maintenance of street lights in Mutengene;the transformation of speed brakes to be more adaptable; the commencement of the settlement of some crucial debts; discussion with CNPS to give staff problems a final solution.
The Mayor prepared the ground work for community –based project proposals and ensured the reduction of school accident rates by assigning workers to assist children crossing the road s during early rush hours. He also reorganized council services to ensure checks and balances among other projects.
According to the mayor ,in his welcome at the session, “For the 2008 financial year, we intend to maximize our local revenue collection following new strategy put in place to handle recoveries from the motor park fees, parking taxes, building permits and the reinforcement of hygiene and sanitation. We hope to increase our revenue from the exploitation of council property; indirect council taxes and fiscal revenue to enable us attain our target”
He stressed that the council would continue to strengthen partnership with foreign cities. “We have had encouraging and favorable responses from the city councils of Dallas and Oklahoma in the US, Manchester in Great Britain and other cities in Europe and America. I have been receiving favorable messages from our brothers and sisters in the United States for financial and material assistance in realizing some of our development initiatives.
“The Council’s intention is to twin with these foreign councils which will serve as the bridge towards the development of the Tiko municipality”
Mr Tita Fombon had promised to transform Tiko for the better if elected Mayor and the Tiko Population, believing him ,elected him. Even when he was installed as Mayor he reiterated that promise.
During the Second Ordinary Session of Tiko Council, last December, for the examination and adoption of the Council’s 2008 budget and the examination of the administrative accounts for 2006, the councilors-just as the general public has been doing, praised the mayor for what he had done in just few months in office to improve the quality of life in the municipality. They exhorted him not to relent in his efforts to help develop and modernize Tiko.
The session adopted as the council 2008 budget- in revenue and expenditure, FCFA 515 million, 5.85% higher compared to the 2007 budget which stood at FCFA 486 million FCFA.Of the FCFA 515 million, 284 million is for investment budget and 231 million is recurrent expenditure.
But what has the mayor achieved to draw accolade from the public?
The achievements of Mayor Tita Fombon in the few months include: the rehabilitation of some major roads and the Tiko municipal stadium; the renovation of council offices for conducive working environment; the control of civil status documents by use of the dry seal; the daily cleaning of streets of Mutengene,Likomba and Tiko and the speedy evacuation of refuse in partnership with HIGH-TECH.;the maintenance of street lights in Mutengene;the transformation of speed brakes to be more adaptable; the commencement of the settlement of some crucial debts; discussion with CNPS to give staff problems a final solution.
The Mayor prepared the ground work for community –based project proposals and ensured the reduction of school accident rates by assigning workers to assist children crossing the road s during early rush hours. He also reorganized council services to ensure checks and balances among other projects.
According to the mayor ,in his welcome at the session, “For the 2008 financial year, we intend to maximize our local revenue collection following new strategy put in place to handle recoveries from the motor park fees, parking taxes, building permits and the reinforcement of hygiene and sanitation. We hope to increase our revenue from the exploitation of council property; indirect council taxes and fiscal revenue to enable us attain our target”
He stressed that the council would continue to strengthen partnership with foreign cities. “We have had encouraging and favorable responses from the city councils of Dallas and Oklahoma in the US, Manchester in Great Britain and other cities in Europe and America. I have been receiving favorable messages from our brothers and sisters in the United States for financial and material assistance in realizing some of our development initiatives.
“The Council’s intention is to twin with these foreign councils which will serve as the bridge towards the development of the Tiko municipality”
Projects Earmarked for 2008
Mr. Tita Fombon announced projects for 2008, which include: the computerization of all council services, construction of stores in Mutengene Motor park and markets, the follow-up and acquisition of vehicles for hygiene and sanitation service and the general administration, the follow-up of land titles for all council lands and follow-up on the construction of a grandstand at the municipal stadium; the construction of a modern council hall; the introduction of a mutual health scheme for workers; the naming of streets; the training of councilors and council staff; the maintenance of road within the municipality; the provision of electricity to villages such Modoni and Moquo
Mayor’s Vision
“My vision is for Tiko to become clean, attractive and welcoming, giving equal opportunity for all its sons and daughters. Our population should be proud to stay and live in Tiko.we have to do all to achieve these objectives which of course can only be attained with your collaboration,” the mayor told councilors.
The SDO for Fako, Bernard Okalia Bilai, who addressed the session, stressed the importance of the Municipality and called on the councilors to be selfless in serving the public. He advised them to work in a spirit of maturity, harmony and unity so to achieve their development goals with ease.
The SDO for Fako, Bernard Okalia Bilai, who addressed the session, stressed the importance of the Municipality and called on the councilors to be selfless in serving the public. He advised them to work in a spirit of maturity, harmony and unity so to achieve their development goals with ease.
Of the 41 councilors of the Tiko, two are former mayors of the town viz;Rosine Toto and Chief Sone Dipoko.Both were very active contributing ideas on how to better develop Tiko. Chief Dipoko, a noted critic, admitted that Mr Fombon had proved that he is development –conscious, but warned that the mayor would only receive their total support if he would work according to Plan.
“The mayor has done a lot in four months…he has done much more than expected. I am one of those who would always give him the needed support”, Chief Kombe Richard of Modoni and Councilor told reporters after the session.
“The mayor has done a lot in four months…he has done much more than expected. I am one of those who would always give him the needed support”, Chief Kombe Richard of Modoni and Councilor told reporters after the session.
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