The Role of Some Mayors in Under Developing Momo Division Scrutinized at Follow up Meeting

The Role of Some Mayors in Under Developing Momo Division Scrutinized at Follow up Meeting

It has been revealed that mayors, also known as voteholders have been contributing whether knowingly or unknowingly to the underdevelopment of Momo Division. This was made at the 3rd quarterly follow up meeting for the evaluation of physical and financial execution of projects funded from the public investment budget in the division. 

The meeting that took place in the conference hall of the divisional delegation of MINEPAT on Thursday October 17 2024 was chaired by the committee's president, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, M.P for Momo East Constituency in the presence of the supervisory authority, the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo represented by his second assistant, Mbi Edwin Tabe and other technical service heads.

Road Grader Carrying Out Rehabilitation Works on a Road in Mbengwi

Rehabilitation in MbengwiDuring the projects evaluation session, it was realised the division is still lagging far behind as even some projects awarded since 2022 like the digging of four boreholes in different communities in Ngie subdivision are yet to be executed. Members wondered allowed why such projects will be launched in an area whose topography is rather suitable for gravitational water supply scheme than borehole and how a contractor will quickly bid for the contract, win it only to turn around and start complaining of insecurity and poor roads. 

It's same thing in other divisions where some mayors chose areas they themselves know are red zones in terms security, award contracts there knowing fully well contractors will tender in their bids and the winner will often be ready with justifications of why work can't start yet while complaining, they never relent their efforts to do everything possible to go clear the complete or partial money for the contract from the state treasury. 

Names of such contractors were cited during the meeting, their contacts gotten and the committee president, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia promised to strictly follow them up. She wondered allowed why such contractors are not invited to be part of such meetings. Ironically during the meeting, no mayor was present but for Mbengwi that sent its second deputy and this has been the case always, that the mayors of Andek, Njikwa, Batibo and Widikum hardly attend and seldom send a representative. 

 

Moulded Pavement Blocks for Road

 

The mandate of the mayors will be expiring soon and it'll not be surprising to see most of them still wanting to retain their offices, surely to continue absenting themselves from such crucial meetings where the development concerns of their municipalities are addressed. Municipal and legislative elections will come up in 2026 meaning between now and then, the concerned still have about three of such meetings to attend and probably tell their own side of the story.

As a way out of this quagmire, the committee members resolved to create a WhatsApp group that will encompass all contractors executing contracts in the division, heads of technical services and the rest of the follow up committee members to ensure virtual follow up even before such physical meetings and institute the spirit of positive competition within the contractors so that at the end, those who do good work are awarded more contracts and those who fail to deliver are dismissed. 

Geh Samuel is the Divisional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development MINEPAT Momo. To him, there's been a gradual improvement of projects realisation in the division since he came into office. He encouraged all to redouble their efforts in seeing that Momo doesn't keep occupying the bottom position when it comes to rankings per division at the regional level. 

A Just Graded Stretch of Road in Mbengwi

 

At press time, one of the biggest projects that will change the face of Mbengwi central subdivision is currently being realised. The project has to do with rehabilitating the stretch of road Checkpoint - Mbon Park Entrance - Africa Petroleum filling station with pavement blocks. Upon completion, visitors will be welcomed to Mbengwi by an exceptional (short) stretch of road.