The Mezam Divisional Follow-up Committee in charge of Public Investment Projects (PIB) has concluded its statutory meeting with renewed commitment to accountability, transparency and improved service delivery, as the division recorded a one-percent increase in project realization for the 2025 financial year.
Meeting on Thursday January 15, 2026, at the MINEPAT Hall in Upstation, Bamenda, stakeholders reviewed the execution of Public Investment Budget (PIB) projects across councils in the division, examined challenges affecting implementation, and set priorities for the 2026 financial year.
Speaking during his closing remarks, Fon Nsoh, Vice Chairperson of the Mezam Divisional Follow-up Committee, described the Public Investment Budget as “a fund for the development of the common good,” stressing that all Cameroonians contribute to it through direct or indirect taxation.
“Moving from 85 percent to 86 percent realization may seem small, but it means progress, not regression,” Fon Nsoh said. “One percent adds value. Our determination is to attain 100 percent realization by 2026.”
He emphasized early planning and early contracting as key strategies to improve performance, noting that transparent procurement processes and the selection of competent contractors remain critical. According to him, communities must also play an active role by monitoring projects and alerting councils and competent ministries when irregularities arise.
“The committee is only expressing the feelings of the population,” he said, warning that non-execution of contracts amounts to misappropriation of public funds, a criminal offence under Cameroonian law. “If we do not speak out, it becomes normal for others to do the same.”
Strong Legal Warning to Defaulting Contractors
Adding a firm legal perspective, State Counsel No. 5 for Mezam, Azemekieh Rudolf Forlemu, cautioned contractors, control engineers and project owners against prolonged delays in project execution. “How do we explain projects awarded in 2017, meant to last six months to two years, taking more than 10 years?” he questioned. “Once deadlines are not respected, you fall under Section 184 of the Penal Code on misappropriation of public property.”
He acknowledged the impact of the ongoing socio-political crisis in the North West Region but maintained that delays of five to ten years are unjustifiable. The State Counsel warned that offences under Section 184 are serious, non-bailable, and carry life imprisonment if guilt is established, regardless of political influence.
He further cautioned state engineers and project supervisors against endorsing the release of funds without effective field control, noting that such actions could render them accomplices to misappropriation. “My advice is simple,” he said. “Those who have not completed projects, especially from 2017, should act now. Once files reach our office, we will do our job.”
Councils Ranked on Performance
Earlier, Eveline Mawo, Mezam Divisional Delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and Secretary of the Committee, presented the 2025 performance ranking of councils based on physical execution of PIB projects.
She revealed that the Bamenda City Council emerged first with 100 percent execution, followed by Santa Council (98.85%), Bamenda I (97.84%), Bali (97.46%), and Bafut (97.34%). Tubah (78.43%), Bamenda II (75.79%), and Bamenda III (68.67%) completed the ranking.
According to the MINEPAT Mezam Divisional boss, comparative statistics between 2024 and 2025 showed overall improvement across most councils, contributing to Mezam Division’s average realization rate of 86.73 percent in 2025.
Persistent Challenges and 2026 Innovations
Despite the gains, the committee identified several constraints, including difficulties linked to the transition from manual procurement to the digital COLEPS system, poor network connectivity, prolonged lockdowns due to insecurity, scarcity of construction materials, and slow payment of contractors.
The introduction of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDEC) as the official mechanism for bid bonds and guarantees was also highlighted as a challenge, though it was acknowledged for reducing fraudulent practices. Participants called for the decentralization of CDEC services beyond Yaounde.
Looking ahead to 2026, the committee announced innovations focused on improved project maturation, better monitoring and evaluation, and stricter regulation of expenditure authorizations, particularly regarding the payment of arrears.
As the meeting ended, Fon Nsoh called on all stakeholders, administrators, councils, contractors and communities to work collaboratively. “Let us build our division,” he urged. “We do not want criminalization. We want contracts we can celebrate.”
The Mezam Divisional Follow-up Committee’s resolve signals a tougher stance on accountability, as the division strives to ensure that public investment projects translate into tangible development for its population.
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