The populations of Lebialem Division have been engaged to improve collaboration with their Local Collectivities to ensure quality services delivery. The call was made by Mme Telelen Dorothy Atabong spouse Motaze, Public Independent Conciliator for the South-West Region during a one day Town-Hall meeting held at Alou Council Hall on Thursday 9th November 2023. The Town-Hall meeting organized under the theme “Concerting with Community Stakeholders of Lebialem Division on ways and means of Reinforcing Local Governance” brought together administrative and municipal authorities, councilors, traditional rulers, religious authorities, civil society organizations and economic operators
During the meeting the resource persons in their respective presentations, educated the Community stakeholders; representatives of the local population on the existence and missions of the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator as well as their rights and obligations as users of council services. They were thus told it is their right to obtain civil status documents, building permits and demand for amenities like drinking water, street light, have access to market space etc. but equally that it is their obligation to pay taxes, avoid dumping dirt on roads, avoid occupying public roads without due authorization and have the civic responsibility to act in solidarity with victims in the event of a natural disaster.
As concerns the local collectivities, the Lord Mayors of Fontem, Alou and Wabane Councils including their deputies and councilors were further reminded of the nature and quality of services they are called upon to render to the population. Emphasis was once again laid on their responsibilities of establishing birth, marriage and death certificates to citizens, provide amenities such as street lighting, health facilities and roads maintenance, and proper waste or garbage disposal as well as sensitize citizens on actions intended to prevent natural disasters.
Opening the town-hall meeting earlier in the presence of Fabian Ambang Kah, Senior Divisional Officer for Lebialem Division, the Public Independent Conciliator indicated that OPIC’s intention is to engage frontline community stakeholders of different councils to enhance service delivery to users in various councils. “Our primary goal is to meet the expectation of service users while expecting them to fulfill their obligations towards the council for the good of their municipalities. When everyone is sincerely engaged in playing their role, respecting the laws and regulation in force, the outcome is peace in our respective communities” she explained. According to Nkemasong Nicasius, Lord Mayor of Fontem, the sensitization meeting came to reinforce confidence- building between the councils and their population.
