“Corruption” throws Kumba contracts meeting into chaos

Written by Etule Banjo, The Standard Tribune

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 11:42

Kumba—A simple question on how possible it was to buy two old push-trucks for CFA1.5 million almost disrupted the last part of the 2009 public investment projects meeting for Meme deivision here last week.

The unexpected question from the Kumba III district chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) party, Kona John Makia left officials and participants stunned and tongue-tied for more than three minute, on 20 January.

When officials tried to respond, they could only babble and give explanations that were by no means convincing. It was one trouble too many for a meeting that had been boycotted by traditional rulers.
"You are not an executive member or representative of Dynamic Tree Group Farmers that received those two truck so you don't have to ask any question here," said the chairman of the Meme divisional participatory follow-up committee, Hon Bokwe Samuel.

Ako Leo, Meme divisional delegate of economy, planning and regional development, explained that 20% of the money had been used to pay taxes. But event then, Makia pointed out, the balance was still exorbitant for two push-trucks.

Formo Jacob, Meme delegate of agriculture and rural development said when the trucks where handed out on Labour Day last year, no body protested. "If you need clarifications come to my office," he said.

In spite of the heated debate the question generated, authorities shoved aside the issue. The 1st Assistant SDO for Meme said Makia was not invited to the meeting and urged participants to disregard his question.
Talking later to the Standard Tribune, Makia said even if 20% of this money was for taxes as claimed, the rest of the money could buy 15 more trucks. He said these were the delegates that Paul Biya's sparro- hawk team should be visiting to “see the evil I am trying to uncover.”

The meeting that took place at the Kumba city council hall heard that out of the 112 projects in 2009 for Meme Division 111 had been completed with a 99.90% physical execution and 98.08% financial execution.