Mayors as Monarchs; Report Exposes Council Corruption & Governance Issues

The Office of the Public Independent Conciliator has unveiled its 2023 Annual Activity Report, shedding light on a year of efforts, challenges, and hopes, while also providing a detailed account of the North West region’s governance landscape.

“Our mission is to make sure that good services are rendered by the councils to the population, void of discrimination and marginalization, and in respect of human rights,” said Tamfu Simon, the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) of the North West Region, adding that the PIC guarantees citizens’ fair and equitable treatment under the law.

In a search to know the reality of affairs in local councils, 7,842 questionnaires were sent out, with 3,484 returned, making up 44.4% of the respondents.

The report, as mandated by Decree no. 2020/773, offers a comprehensive review of the relationship between citizens and regional council services.

The report reflects on the functioning of regional and council services, revealing insights gathered through a comprehensive survey.

In regards to the relationship between the Regional Executive Council and workers, the report states that “some workers have been victims of discrimination by the Regional Executive Council relating to acts of unfair payment of motivational fees, hate speech, ethnic slangs, favoritism and other aspects of unfair treatment, especially with regards to non-respect of workers’ rights, notably non-payment of overtime, no payment of salaries, discrimination in training and lack of information”.

The report also highlighted the shortcomings of the Regional Assembly in the domains of “personnel management, among which are the lack of standard working procedures, the prohibition by MINDDEVEL/MINFI joint circular restricting the recruitment of staff and the absence of a law on local public services and ethics”.

Additionally, the report offers insights into citizen perceptions of council operations, highlighting areas of commendation and concern. Some councils were praised for effective project management and financial governance, while others faced criticism for unethical conduct, including bribery, corruption, and unfair taxation.

74.4% of the population said the relationship between Mayors and their deputies is friendly and welcoming, while 26% of the respondents said the relationship is “unfriendly and that Mayors manage the councils as their private estate”. Instances of these were recorded in Njinikom, Andek, Ndop, Babessi, Tubah, Mbengwi, and Bamenda City Council, where deputy mayors also described the leadership style of their mayors as restrictive.

The report also highlighted that “the role of councilors was limited to attending council sessions and voting deliberations.”

Councils like Ako (83%), Elak (57%), and Ndop (57%) ranked high in unfair taxation of the population, while in the trespass to land/property; Furu-Awa (46%), Andek (38%) and Bamenda 1 (32%) lead in the bad practice. In the report, Ako (52%), Furu-Awa (41%), and Njinikom (40%) stood out in harassment by council workers, while Njinikom (60%), Zhoa (45%), and Misaje (39%) scored high in misappropriation and management of resources.

Despite the gloomy picture, Ndu (96%), Bamenda III (92%), and Nwa (71%) ranked best for good management of financial resources.

Throughout 2023, the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator navigated obstacles, including the prevailing insecurity in the region and delayed subvention disbursement. Despite these challenges, the dedication to fair governance and citizens’ rights remained steadfast.

Looking ahead, the report offers a series of recommendations to enhance the performance of regional and council services in 2024. These include calls for improved personnel management, better resource allocation, and the promotion of ethical conduct within councils.

The Annual Activity Report stands as a testament to the Office’s tireless efforts to advocate for the rights of citizens and uphold the principle As the report is made public, it invites reflection on the progress made, the challenges faced, and the path forward towards a more transparent and equitable governance system in the North-West Region.

Mimi Mefo Info