The 2014 coordination meeting of treasurers of the financial district of Douala took place last Wednesday at Edea chaired by the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for the Sanaga-Maritime region, John Abate Edi'i.

According to the General Paymaster, Jean-Pierre Mbock, it was necessary to strengthen the capacity of accountants and to take stock of the activities performed during the year. "This is a reflection circle where everyone is expected to improve on his or her performance."

The other requirement was to make a judgment on the situation of fundraising. Hence the theme: "The recovery and recognition of local taxes."

It was noticed that the details of revenue transferred to local authorities are not always available to the mayors and recipients.

One of the resolutions taken therefore was that the mayors and their staff do everything so that the information on the management accounts is the most comprehensive available. Mayors should get a mission or send staff from the Directorate of large companies to access this information critically.

For Célestin Taboli of Sanaga-Maritime, “it is always important to always stop to take stock and to plan for the future. This meeting allows us to check our revenues and expenditures."

In terms of numbers, The General Paymaster indicates that the year 2013 ended with at least FCFA400M still to be collected.

According to him, the first quarter saw a great increase in terms of revenue in all structures, customs, taxes, estates, treasure among others. Regarding taxes, base revenues increased for the same period a little over FCFA 21billion to nearly FCFA30 billion.

Customs Duties also witnessed an increase of FCFA19.5 billion. Revenue areas increase by FCFA77 billion from FCFA 226.

On the revenue service, an increased from FCFA 6.5 billion to almost FCFA 11 billion was witnessed.

Jean-Pierre Mbock stressed that these results were obtained through a synergy between the three financial authorities, “ranging from collection to payment in the single treasury account."