FEICOM raises councils’ best practices awards to another level.

This was unveiled during the 2023 edition that held 14 December in Yaounde. The Director General of FEICOM, Philippe Camille Akoa, told journalists during a pre-event briefing on 13 December that the hike was in response to the recommendations made during the past four editions. 
He said henceforth, the council that wins the first prize will smile home with 70,000,000 FCFA, instead of the 50,000,000 FCFA paid to them in previous editions.
For the second prize winner in this fifth edition, the package was 50, 000,000 FCFA as against 20,000,000 FCFA in the past. The package for the third prize winner was raised to 30,000,000 FCFA; instead of the 10,000,000 FCFA they previously got.
Meanwhile, the Alioune Badiane Special Prize of the International Jury that used to attract 5,000,000 FCFA; now garners 25,000,000 FCFA.
For the consolation prizes that go to all the 10 regions, but to one of the competing council areas, the award prize was also raised from 10,000,000 FCFA to 15,000,000 FCFA.

Composition of jury
For this 5th edition, the international jury of the FEICOM National Prize comprised 12 members of proven integrity and expertise in their fields.
The Director General clarified that for each edition, the Chairperson of the jury is chosen from among internationally renowned personalities. Members of the jury are usually representatives of government ministries to which FEICOM is tutelage; representatives of United Nations agencies in the country, parliamentarians, technical and financial partners, representatives of civil society organisations as well as the media.
Therefore, this year´s jury had the Mauritanian, Fatimetou Abdel Malick, who is President of the Nouakchott Trade Institute, as President. Another woman, Munyati Muntinta Adeline, from Zambia, who is the East Africa Regional Director for the United Nations Housing Programme, UNHABITAT, was also member of the jury.

The third woman as member of the jury was Nadine Perrault, from Haiti, who doubles as the Trade Representative of the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF. The Trade Institute was represented in the jury by Congolese, Dr Marcel Opoumba, who is also the Manager of ISSEA in his home country. 
The presence of the Parliament was noticeable in the participation of Senator Fon Chafah XI. Other members were, Sylvie Siyam, Amvouma Atemengue Jean Baptiste, the Mayor of Ngoumou, who represented the United Cities and Councils of Cameroon, UCCC.
For representatives of other establishments, we had Apalla Cyrille, Technical Adviser number 1 to the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, MINDDEVEL; Ntsek Serge Dieudonne, Inspector in Charge of Budget Services at the Ministry of Finance, MINFI; Elizabeth Ehabe who served as Secretary of the Jury; Ngah Christian Mbipgo, publisher of The Guardian Post represented the media, while Jean-Christophe, President of Cameroon Order of Architects, represented his organisation.

Prize winners
Mbalmayo Council carted away the first prize. According to the jury, Mbalmayo was distinguished because it was able to recycle waste plastics and used the product as building material for the construction of classrooms in many parts of the council area. 
The runner up, Nkongsamba I Council, was credited for exhibited outstanding cleanliness. It   launched operation “Clean Town”, which the jury said served as an eye opener for neighbouring councils that are now adopting the practice and thereby improving the sanitation of their communities.
The third prize was won by Dimako Council. While the Kumba City Council carted home the coveted Alioune Badiane International Jury prize. Ten consolation prizes went to councils selected from the 10 regions of the country.