Cameroon’s Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Elanga Obam, has officially commissioned the new Mutengene/Tiko water supply system, hailing it as a success story of the government’s decentralisation effort.
The inauguration event, attended by local administrators, regional assembly members, and municipal authorities, was a celebratory moment for the people of Tiko, who had previously lacked access to potable drinking water in their locality of over 80,000 residents.
“This project is a testament to the progress being made through decentralisation,” Minister Elanga Obam stated during his visit to one of the water project’s reservoirs in Dibanda. “The government’s main priority is to ensure more people have access to this essential resource,” he said.
Cameroon’s Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Elanga Obam
The water project was made possible through a partnership with the German Development Bank, KFW, and the Special Council Support Fund (FEICOM) under the FIECOM Medium City Decentralisation Programme launched in 2014.
Minister Elanga Obam expressed gratitude to the German government, represented by Ambassador Dr. Corina Fricke, for their support. He also praised the leadership of Tiko Mayor, HRM Chief Messoso Ikome Peter III, for his commitment to the project’s successful implementation.
“The Tiko Mayor has demonstrated exemplary leadership and has given concrete substance to the decentralisation policy,” the Minister remarked. “This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when local authorities are empowered.”
Ambassador Dr Fricke reaffirmed Germany’s firm commitment to accompanying Cameroon in its decentralisation process, stating that it is a “pillar of our cooperation.” She also revealed that consultations on the future of this cooperation will take place in Yaoundé next week.
Ambassador Dr. Corina Fricke
Tiko Mayor Messoso Ikome Peter III, overjoyed by the accomplishment, said, “Today will be recorded in the annals of history and judged positively for posterity. Good morning to my people in Mutengene, your day has dawned.”
The Mutengene/Tiko water catchment, located 20 kilometres away from the locality, was initiated by Mayor Mekondo Daniel and is set to transform the lives of the residents.
By Jomia Eyong
