Councillors of the North West Regional Assembly have finally adopted the sum of FCFA 3 billion balance in income and expenditure as the maiden budget for the house. The amount was adopted Wednesday 3 June 2021 following prolong debates put up by some bold councillors who wanted some special conditions to be met before the budget is voted.
The councillors pressed for the adopted budget to take into account the Special Status accorded the two Anglophone regions, demanded the adoption of the standing orders of the house before the budget is voted while others proposed that the budget should allocate to them micro grants. The stalemate is said to have lasted over two hours with some calling for the postponement of deliberations while complaining that the budget was presented to them just on the eve of the voting.
"The budget was presented to the Finance committee at the eve of this session, contravening section 386 sub 4 of Law No 2019/024 of the 24th December 2019 to institute the general code of regional and local authorities which states that the budget shall be prepared and controlled in a participatory manner to take into account the needs expressed and suggestions made by the population," said councilor Weyang Joseph from Ngoketunjia Division.
Responding to the worries two hours after the resumption of the session, the President of the North West Regional Assembly, Prof Fru Angwafo III, pleaded with his peers to consider the five months already wasted in their demands. Replying request for the postponement of the session, he said as per directives from the Ministry of Decentralization, the session is supposed to hold not later than 15 June.
He said the session which was called abruptly still confirms with the law to summon an emergency session of the house. Reacting to late presentation of the budget to the members, he said the Finance committee had thoroughly worked on the document to minimize errors.
Prof Fru Angwafo III reminded councillors also asked why the budget did not take into account micro project grants as part of the special status accorded to the region that the Regional assembly is not a legislative organ that votes laws but noted that once such laws are voted by MPs at parliament, he won’t hesitate implementing.
The budget will handle the socio-economic, cultural, sports and educational framework of the region. Prof Angwafo III appreciated the councillors for putting in place this budget which will permit him work with other stakeholders to bring meaningful development to the region. He seized the opportunity to announce partnerships made at home and abroad to help them do their job well. The house will reconvene on June 3rd to put in place its standing orders
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