Media practitioners and professionals from the North West Region have been called upon to do a follow-up on best practices and deviances in Regional and local authorities.
The call was made on Wednesday 13th November 2024 at the office of the Public Independent Conciliator who schooled journalists on the creation, organisation and functioning of the Public Independent Conciliator.
The call came as the OPIC is finalizing its 2024 report on the functioning of council services in the region that will be tabled to the President of the Republic.
There called on the press men to do a follow-up on the previous report of the OPIC that focused on the free issuance of Civil status documents.
Dr Atia Tilarious said; "After the publication, there was a lot of noise. When we met with the Municipal authorities later, the noise died a natural death. This is because they understood their shortcomings and these documents are issued free of charge." Dr Atia said.
PIC poses for a family picture with Journalists
The Public Independent Conciliator, Tamfu Simon Fai was quizzed about the salary scale of council workers which has come under a serious debate in Mezam as well as the inability of councils to pay their workers on time. This was seen as a breeding ground for corruption in councils.
Tamfu Simon Fai explained that there is a disparity in the salary code that councils should use. He says the attention of the Minister of Decentralisation was drawn to this effect and while a general code is expected, the Minister has prescribed that the 2023 salary code should be used.
On the aspect of lack of salaries on time, the PIC said councils don't generate revenue in the North West as expected and only depend on the government. These funds are not disturbed on time reasons for the delay.
Created through Law No 2019/024 of the 24th December 2024 to institute the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities, the OPIC became operational in July 2021 with the appointment of the PIC for a six-year non-renewable term.
Cross section of Journalists
The mission of the PIC is to settle disputes between councils and their users in an amicable manner known as conciliation. The matter must not be pending before any court.
Any natural and legal person can lodge a complaint at the PIC either written or verbal and the issue will be treated to guarantee respect of rights and freedoms of the agreevied party and to settle the dispute amicably or prevent recurrence thereof.
The main missions according to Simon Tamfu Fai is to prevent disputes from occuring and ensure best practices from Regional and Municipal councils.
Some of the best practices include the spartial distribution of council projects, the free issuance of Civil status documents, the consultation of the public before projects are executed, the publication of council projects and deliberations amongst others.
Speaking to journalists as he closed the one day information workshop, the PIC said; " In spite of the good work we have been doing, there are still some people who have little or no knowledge about the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator. Even those people who have an idea need to know more.
" In order to satisfy such appetite for more knowledge, we will not relent our efforts in sensitizing stakeholders and the public at large on what we are doing, as well as explaining the mandate and missions of the Public Independent Conciliator." Tamfu Simon Fai said.
In deep appreciation of the knowledge places at their disposal, the journalists through the voice of Bakah Derick appreciated the PIC for always ensuring that sufficient information is at the disposal of the press for exploitation.
A commitment was taken to ensure the journalists are always kept abreast information wise.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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