Councillors of the Tiko Municipality in Fako Division, South West Region have adopted a budget of over 1.6 billion FCFA for next year.
The budget named ‘The Welfare Budget’ (1,677,690,000 FCFA) will be used to transform the infrastructural, social and economic situation of the municipality in 2023.
899,200,000 FCFA of the budget will go to investments. Among others, the construction of culverts, and earth roads, Tiko mortuary, installation of solar street light and the redesigning of the Tiko Town motor park, likewise water supply to communities. Classrooms will also be constructed, some renovated, and benches and table provided to some schools in the Municipality.
The budget could have been bigger but crisis has slowed socio-economic activities in the Municipality, leading to a drop in revenue, according to the mayor. But the abatement of the crisis, will enable the 2023 budget to be realised, the mayor hopes. Although the economy of the municipality is not that vibrant, the Mayor is counting on the staff to maximise revenue collection. “Much responsibility has been put on the shoulders of the staff that have shown that they are a force to reckon with as far as revenue collection and project execution are concerned. As will be illustrated in our analysis below, the amount expected to be collected by the staff is 318,750,000 FCFA. Given the current reforms in the Taxation Administration, whereby declarations and payment of taxes will be done online, it is hoped that collection of revenue will be improved upon,” Chief Mesoso noted.
The 2023 budget dropped to 124,110,000 FCFA from 1,801,800,000 FCFA budgeted in 2022.
This drop in the budget, according to the Mayor, Chief Peter Mesoso, was because of his desire to have a realistic and achievable target.
Jude VIBAN
