By Cass NN
 |
| Akio Augustine |
An atmosphere of
uncertainty looms in Ako council after the 2015 budgetary session which was
planned for November 24, 2015 flopped. Sources say after the reading of the
agenda of the day, councilors immediately transformed the session into a
Portuguese Parliament, complaining for the nonpayment sitting allowances. The
infuriated councilors also accused the mayor and council treasurer to have
transformed them to beggars. Some councilors also said that council financial
resources were being managed as if it were a provision store while others were
on their toes complaining that the mayor, Akio Augustine has refused to
organize an evaluation session. All
attempts by the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung to calm down
flaring tempers met stiff resistance from the councilors. Matters came to a
head when the councilors raised another motion that they are not even sure that
arrangements have been made for their allowances.”We want our allowances to be paid
on the spot. We cannot continue to admit to be treated like beggars. It is
common meal that every time we come for a session our allowances are paid after
one or at times after three months”, one councilor hammered.
When the SDO for Donga
Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard asked the mayor and treasurer
whether the sitting allowances for councilors was available, it become clear
that council coffers were empty. Tension almost escalidated when the Municipal
treasurer revealed that the council had received FCFA 30 million from FEICOM
and she had used everything without informing the mayor. Councilor Toka Thomas described the drama as
an unfortunate situation, “We have realized that the mayor and the municipal treasurer
are not working hand in hand. That is why we have come to this mess”. On her
part, Councilor Lizette said the municipal treasurer is a problem. She said
when the councilors suggested to that the mayor that they should ask for a treasurer,
the mayor rejected it. “We cannot hold a budgetary session without having
evaluated how the budget of the previous year was used”, she questioned.
Accusation
and Counter-accusations
On his part the mayor
of Ako, Akio Augustine said he was fully prepared for the council session
believing that the council treasurer went and collected money from the bank.
“Since the treasurer has not been here for weeks, I believed she must have gone
to the bank to bring money to pay councilors. In addition to this, the mayor is
not a signatory to the council bank account. It is only the municipal
treasurer. That is a clear case. Last week I was in Bamenda and I tried to go
with her to the bank just to stand by because I am not the signatory but she
said there is nothing in the account. She came back two days ago and I did not
come to present any situation to me. She is now talking of FCFA 30 million that
came in and has been spent”. The mayor further lamented that the treasurer has
not shown him any receipt nor any document on how she spent the money. “It
means she is using this money all alone. I cannot believe it. For now the mayor
is going to send a delegation to the bank to find out the last time she
withdrew money”. Reacting on allegations that the council took an overdraft,
the mayor of Ako said “believing that the council took an overdraft, we should
have a balance and even receipts of payment”.
On her part the municipal
treasurer Madame Mei Nee Stella Seimasih said that the council was relying of “centime”
from FEICOM to pay allowances to given that the account was in red. “we were highly
waiting on the centime but when I went to the bank, it hadn’t come. The mayor
would have looked for a contractor to sponsor the session as is always the case
with the agric show and the money be reimbursed latter”. She however lamented
that the mayor and councilors are always suspicious of her given that she is
the lone signatory to the account and one other council staff. “They feel that
the mayor or one of his deputies should be a signatory. So whatever I go to the
bank and tell them, they always think it is not true. It seems as if I am
taking the money and putting in my private pocket. In conclusion I want to add
that my life is at stake in this place because I am dealing with a very whimsical
mayor. At times the man signs a document and refuses it. It seems as if his senses
of reasoning are very low. Whenever I am from the bank I always give him the
photocopy of the check”. What is however intriguing is the fact that the same
treasurer who said nothing came from FEICOM later revealed that FCFA 30 million
came and FCFA 10 million was deducted as overdraft and the remaining FCFA 10
million she used in paying taxes. “When that check was issued, the region took
it. When I will be in Bamenda next week I will bring the photocopy of the check”.
Some councilors are pointing an accusing finger at the Divisional Chief of
Taxation for Donga Mantung for being an accomplice. The treasurer is even
accused of perpetual absenteeism but she refuted the allegations.
Enter
Shewa David (MP attempted)
It is alleged that
before any council session holds, Shewa David always sets the agenda for
councilors in the name of party discipline. This observer’s say has also
contributed enormously to the cacophony during council sessions. Akio Augustine
says “the problem councilors have here is that the man who attempted to be the
MP overcomes them. Whatever he says, they stand behind him. They think that
when someone is highly educated, that person knows everything. The attempted MP
doesn’t know anything”. It is alleged Shewa during that session even sat
amongst councilors whereas he is not supposed to. More so, severally he was
trying to make a statement when matters came to a head whereas only the
councilors have the right to speak during council sessions.
(Coming
up: Who Runs the Ako Council, Mayor, Attempted MP or Treasurer?)
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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