The rate of physical and financial realization at the third quarter follow up committee of the Public Investment Budget, PIB for Meme Division, stands at 61.56% and 32.20% respectively.

This disclosure was made by Meme Divisional Delegate for Economy Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Buinda Godlove, during the third quarter of the Meme Divisional participatory follow up committee meeting of Public Investment projects, which took place at the Kumba City Council Hall, and presided over by the Chairman of the follow up committee, Hon Atinda Martin, under the watchful eyes of the Meme SDO represented by his 2nd ASDO Yongkuma Nelson Gamsi.

The Delegate revealed that, a total allocation of FCFA 532, 331, 000 for 70 projects, and a total of FCFA 182, 181, 000 have already been engaged.

The Delegate narrated that, the level of execution for the Division has improved as compared to the same period last year. As at now, about 45 projects have been completed, whereas 15 projects are ongoing, with 10 projects still to be awarded.

Meme MINEPAT boss equally hinted that, of the six priority projects allocated for the Division to the total amount of FCFA 153, 000, 000 the general percentage in physical execution stands at 36.07%, explaining that much would have been achieved if the contracts were awarded in record time and if the conditions of the roads were not deplorable.

The wayward attitude of some contractors was also another factor for the slow execution of the projects in the Division the Delegate noted. The Chairman of the Meme participatory follow up committee led by Hon. Atinda Martin, decried the manner in which some contractors handle projects in the Division.

He warned that contractors who do not do the assignments well and in record time, should be ready to face sanctions.

The Chairman reminded Contractors who do not attend follow up committee meetings because they know people in high authorities that this strategy will not save them this time.

The stakeholders that attended the meeting suggested that, the amount allocated for the execution of projects such as the construction of the two classrooms which stands at FCFA 16 million for Primary schools and FCFA 18 million for secondary schools be increased for those to be constructed in the hinterlands where accessibility is a problem especially in Meme where the road are in deplorable state.

The 2nd ASDO, for Meme Yongkuma Nelson Gamsi, in opening and closing session, opined that it was aimed at appreciating the level of execution of Public Investment Projects in the Division. He expressed the need to see an increase in the level of physical and financial realization. He said difficulties encountered during the execution exercise were posed by lack of collaboration from stakeholders.

He called for the strict implementation of the recommendation of the follow-up committee to raise the execution rates of the PIB. He equally added his voice on the sanctions to be meted out to recalcitrant contractors who have signed contracts and kept in their cupboards and thus contributing to retarding the development of the Division.

FCFA 25 million Hospital project deadlock During the meeting it filtered that the FCFA 25 million project for the construction of a fence at the Kumba General Hospital has suffered another deadlock even though it has attained 70% physical execution.

It was revealed that a certain woman, who owns a building around the hospital, is reported to have blocked contractors from carrying out the work, boasting that the area earmarked for the construction of the fence happens to be her bonafide property.

The Director of the Hospital, Dr Ebongo Zaches Nanje, also narrated his ordeal to stakeholders during the follow-up committee, that his life and those of his collaborators are at stake as they are receiving constant death threats from family in the area he operated.

He urged the members to act fast as he is just only a Director and not the owner of the hospital.