The Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance better known by its French acronym as FEICOM has launched regional workshops for the sensitization and training of shortlisted councils on modalities of the putting in place of the Medium Cities Decentralization Programme.

The launching ceremony took place last June 30 in Yaoundé during a solemn occasion placed under the auspices of the Governor of the Centre Region, Otto Joseph Wilson.

Speaking during the occasion, the Director General of FEICOM, Philippe Camille Akoa explained that it is since 2003 that Cameroon and Germany adopted a common strategy to support the decentralization process, thereby contributing to the amelioration of the living conditions of the population in council areas.

He went on that “Following an evaluation audit carried out in 2011 by I and D firm, it was concluded that FEICOM is apt to manage financial resources mobilized by development partners to accompany local development.”

“It is within this framework of German- Cameroon bilateral cooperation that negotiations between the two governments in September 2010 witnessed KfW donating CFA 10 billion francs for FEICOM Medium Cities Decentralization Programme.” FEICOM DG highlighted.

While calling on the various participants at the seminar; councilors from the 3 preselected councils in the Centre Region, officials of devolved services of the state, technical staff of councils and Civil Society leaders to solicit for more information as possible on this programme, FEICOM DG, Philippe Camille Akoa urged them to play their role to the fullest in order to make this project a success thereby fostering local development.

He disclosed that at the end of this first phase of the 46-month programme that is limited only to four regions; the Centre, Far North, West and South West, 8 to 10 councils will be selected among the 16 eligible to the programme.

On his part, the Representative of the Governor Otto Joseph Wilson said the event translates the important role government attaches to the decentralization process in Cameroon as a major tool in reforming and modernizing the state.

The series of regional seminars that began in Yaoundé last June 30 will end in Limbe, South West Region next July 23.