Members of the North West Regional Assembly are currently deliberating on a draft budget, balance in income and expenditure at 5.62 billion.
The budget focuses on the second phase of the peace building and development initiative, PDI, which has fostered social cohesion, employment and harmonious living together in communities.
Also, the launch of the North West Development and Investment Fund, NOWEDIF is in-view.
Speaking as he officially opened deliberations at the 15th ordinary session of the Assembly in Bamenda, Prof Fru Angwafo III, President of the Regional Assembly said to realize the development projects earmarked in the Regional Development plan, the Assembly has to mobilize substantial resources which cannot be gotten from the annual budgets of the Assembly.
House of Divisional Representatives
House of Chiefs
The launch of NOWEDIF will bring in the much needed resources that will finance development and investment projects.
Holding under the theme; "2025 Budget and End of Year Cultural Jamboree," Prof Fru Angwafo rated the achievement of the Assembly at 97.46% for 2024 with 61 projects executed.
He also highlighted the need for a collaborative framework to be established between the North West Regional Assembly and the West Regional Council. This he says stems from the fact that they are development bodies that cuts across the two regions and a framework for collaboration will be win-win.
The statement from Prof Fru Angwafo comes days after the President of the Republic, promulgated into law the bill on local financing.
To Prof Fru Angwafo, this gives clarity on the taxes the region will be collecting and in the course of 2025, there will be a need for the budget to be adjusted to incorporate the locally collected revenue.
North West Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique
As the Members of the Regional Assembly commence with the scrutiny of the draft budget and priority projects for 2025, North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique stressed on the critical role of citizens participation in the affairs of the region.
"The expectations, aspirations hope of the North West Region lies in this August Assembly. The concerns of our population must be a priority." Governor Lele Lafrique said.
As the Regional Assembly members deliberate on the draft budget, one thing is clear, the Assembly is determined to chart a path towards sustainable development and renewed hope for its people.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
0 Comments