The Fundong Council has assessed the execution rate of its 2025 projects, recording a little over 50 percent completion, as the municipality works toward aligning development with community priorities despite financial and security challenges.
Speaking during the midterm evaluation session at the Fundong Council chambers, Mayor Denis Awoh Ndang welcomed stakeholders, including the newly installed Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Boyo, Menyong Gilbert Sunday, who was attending his first council session since assuming office two weeks ago.
Mayor Ndang outlined progress on 29 key projects across the municipality, ranging from water schemes, road maintenance, classrooms, and electrification to health centers and community halls. Among the notable achievements were the extension of electricity at GRA Fundong, the construction of culverts in several localities, rehabilitation of portable water schemes in Achain and Boyui, and near completion of teachers’ quarters at GS Ajung.
Other projects, however, lag behind. The Ilung and Ngomntoh water supply schemes stand at 40 percent completion, the Youth Multipurpose Center is at 15 percent, while works on the Luh Community Hall roof and the Ngwah Rural Electrification scheme have yet to begin. “We are a little above 50 percent in execution, but our prayer is to hit 100 percent by year’s end,” Mayor Ndang told Laarry Times.
He emphasized that local revenue generation remains a stumbling block. “Very low revenue collection is a big problem for us,” he said, noting that the reduction and delays in Council Additional Taxes have worsened financial pressures. The mayor urged a more efficient local taxation system to sustain project financing.
The session also served as a forum to orientate the 2026 budget, with councillors tasked to present priority projects from their respective villages. Mayor Ndang reaffirmed the council’s commitment to the principle of performance budgeting, which links spending to measurable outcomes.
In his maiden address, Senior Divisional Officer Menyong Gilbert Sunday hailed the council for its resilience in holding sessions within the municipality despite the prevailing security situation in the North West Region.
He urged councillors to take their representative roles seriously by defending the needs of their communities.
“I will not take it lightly with deviant contractors who abandon or poorly execute projects. Fundong must develop,” he declared, vowing strict oversight of public investment projects.
The SDO equally appealed for community-led peace efforts, warning that insecurity continues to hinder development. He challenged councillors and parents to play a proactive role in persuading youths in the bushes to reintegrate into society. “Gun alone will not solve this problem. You, as community leaders, must also act,” he stressed.
Beyond development concerns, the SDO reminded councillors of the importance of preparing for the new academic year. He called for collective efforts to ensure schools across Fundong open in September and to address the worrying drop in male student enrollment.
As the October 12 presidential election approaches, the divisional chief executive also urged citizens to actively participate in the polls, stressing that meaningful democratic expression must be reflected in voter turnout.
Despite constraints, both the council and the supervisory authority expressed determination to fast-track development and restore normalcy in Fundong. As Mayor Ndang summed up, “With transparency, community engagement, and prudent financial management, we can build a brighter future for our municipality.”
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