Bamenda I Mayor Empowers Village, Neighbourhood Committees for 2025 Projects

Mayor Mbigha Felix of Bamenda I Council has inaugurated village and neighborhood committees to oversee community projects within the municipality. 

    Mbigha Felix Njah, Mayor of Bamenda I Council.

This initiative, launched on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, aims to enhance local participation and ownership in developmental endeavors.

   The subdivision of Bamenda I now boasts 10 village and neighborhood committees entrusted with various responsibilities, including mobilizing residents for community

development, contributing to local planning, facilitating public engagement, ensuring basic facility management, and aiding in the dissemination of municipal information.

   During the commissioning ceremony, Mayor Mbigha Felix emphasized the significance of decentralization, highlighting the shift towards community-led project selection and prioritization. 

   He underscored that these committees will play a vital role in identifying and recommending projects based on community needs, fostering a more inclusive and responsive governance approach.

   Notably, quarter heads are encouraged to participate in project discussions but are

excluded from committee membership. 

    Cross section of quarterheads, community leaders.

The committees are guided by the principle of community-driven development, as emphasized by Ngeh Kelly of the Interfaith Vision Foundation Cameroon (IVFCAM). Kelly reiterated the importance of communities taking charge of their development initiatives, stressing the need for projects to align with community needs and endure over time. IVFCAM's mission to promote participatory development aims to bridge the gap between the council and its constituents, ensuring effective collaboration and

sustainable progress.

   Furthermore, IVFCAM will provide oversight to ensure that the committees adhere to established guidelines while also monitoring the council's compliance with

community-driven initiatives.

   In conjunction with the committee installation, Mayor Mbigha Felix unveiled key projects slated for implementation in 2025. These projects include the acquisition of a dump truck to complement existing equipment such as a front-end loader and a

grader, demonstrating the council's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and service delivery.

   The village and neighborhood committees operate on a two-year mandate, with the possibility of renewal, signifying a long-term commitment to community engagement and development under a decentralized governance framework.