The Bamenda
I Town Hall which is still under construction has suffered serious impediment
due to the non respect of the jobbing order by the contractor. This was
revealed during the mid-year evaluation session of the Bamenda I Council.
In the words of
the Mayor of Bamenda I, Caroline Bongwa, “the rear elevation of the building
has collapsed, the rear wall of the third floor has cracks and the front part
of the parapet is equally on the verge of collapsing due to the non respect of
dimensions by the contractor.” The situation therefore is a cause for
concern and urgent action is needed to secure the building from total collapse,
reasons why several meetings have been held to that effect and lots of changes
envisaged, Bongwa concluded.
Although with the envisaged
changes, some councilors this reporter spoke to were of the opinion that the
contractor has “failed to deliver and the job be taken away from him.”
According to them, no matter what reinforcement carried out there, the Town
Hall might present a potential danger to the public.
The session in itself was
“hot” because of amateurish presentation of committee reports by committee
chairpersons to the exasperation of the SDO. He from time to time stopped the
session and reminded the councilors to understand that the Bamenda I council
was a sensitive one and the councilors needed to take whatever they are doing
seriously. He at one point ordered the press out for reasons best known to him
and called the councilors to order before a compromise was arrived at. Though
the reports were rejected, aspects that could be discussed were handled pending
their correction in the presence of the SDO in days ahead.
Despite the perceptible confusion
necessitating the training of the councilors of the CPDM run council on council
proceedings and reporting, the mayor was commended for doing a great job on the
ground. Her track record in the domain of road rehabilitation and maintenance,
provision of health facilities, construction of classrooms and supply of
benches was commended. Mme Bongwa herself called for greater collaboration and
suggestions from councilors so that much could be done to the benefit of the
population.
It was during the session that the
late deputy mayor, Teukeu was replaced according to section 70 of law no.
2004/018 of July 2004 laying down rules applicable to the management of
councils. Kodong Blaise Alain still of Bamilike origin was elected as second
deputy mayor. CPDM Party disciplined mechanism was used to avoid any
confrontation and contestation during the election whose result indicated one
null ballot indicating disapproval. According to him, service to the population
of Bamenda I would be his objective.
By Benjamin Ngah
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