Community stakeholders from the Ekondo Titi and Dikome Balue municipalities have gained clearer understanding of issues surrounding the delivery of quality public services within their councils. This followed a town hall meeting convened by the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (OPIC) on April 9, 2026, at the Ekondo Titi Council Hall.
Held under the theme, “Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (OPIC): Bridging the Gap Between Council Administrations and Community Stakeholders of Ekondo Titi and Dikome Balue Municipalities Towards Strengthening Local Governance,” the session served as a platform for dialogue, clarification, and engagement.
The meeting attracted over 400 participants, including traditional authorities, quarter heads, religious leaders, representatives of women and youth groups, transport operators (motorcycle, car, and boat drivers’ unions), economic actors, as well as administrative and municipal officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the representative of the Public Independent Conciliator, Dr. Tambe Cyril Bua, informed participants that the meeting was convened in recognition of the Office’s mandate, which necessitates strong collaboration with decentralized local authorities as well as with the population—the primary beneficiaries of council services. Against this backdrop, he encouraged attendees to pay close attention to the presentations, noting that they are intended to inspire thoughtful recommendations on strengthening constructive engagement between communities and councils for the benefit of all users of these decentralized services.
After being thoroughly sensitized on the mandate of the Office and the rights and obligations of citizens in relation to their Councils, participants developed a strong interest in the discussions and sought further clarification on several key issues. These included calls for the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (OPIC) to establish representation across all subdivisions of the South-West Region, inquiries into whether OPIC has successfully handled disputes involving council staff, councils, or the Regional Assembly, as well as concerns about challenges affecting the smooth conduct of the conciliatory process. Attention was also drawn to the lack of a water point at the Ekondo Titi slaughterhouse.
