Over 81 billion FCFA budgeted to rebuild, develop NW in 2024.

The launching ceremony took place under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Finance, in the presence of North West Governor, Adolphe Lele L'afrique.

Also present was the Director of North-South Cooperation and Multilateral Organisations, Njie Thomas Kinge, at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT. 

The annual event also brought together Regional Delegates, Mayors, local development authorities and contractors.

During the event, the Head of Mission for the occasion, Njie Thomas, revealed that the total budget for this year stands at 6,740.1 billion FCFA, witnessing an increase of 13.2 billion FCFA as compared to 2023.

It was also revealed that the 2024 Public Investment Budget stands at about 1,621.1 billion FCFA, which is about 24.8% of the state budget. 

It was equally mentioned that over 81 billion FCFA is budgeted for the development of the North West Region in 2024. This year's budget has witnessed an increase of 17% as compared to the over 63 billion FCFA of 2023.

According to the authorities, the over 81 billion FCFA will facilitate development projects in the domains of road, water, agriculture, health, education and other sectors.

"Because of the present socio-political crisis, much has been allocated to meet up with the investment and security challenges within the North West Region. We have great need for road infrastructures to be developed, water and electricity and others. We hope that at the end of the year, we find the road networks and other sectors improved in the region," Njie said.

Stakeholders tasked to work for fruitful executions

In order to achieve 100% execution rate of projects this 2024, the Head of Mission, Njie Thomas, called on authorities and stakeholders of the North West Region to work diligently to achieve fruitful execution of the various projects.

He equally advised that there is need for early execution of the budget to avoid late awarding of contracts, which may end up yielding poor results.

"We hope that the different stakeholders will concentrate on certain aspects to make the executions become fruitful. We also appreciate early execution of the budget because we have noticed that one of the difficulties comes from the late contractual processes that are engaged, making it difficult to respect timelines, and eventually the execution becomes problematic," Njie added.

In 2023, over 585 projects were awarded in the North West Region. According to the North West Regional Delegate of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Chief Dominic Yenai, a total of 455 projects are presently at 100% execution, 91 ongoing, 31 still to start, making a total 84.8% physical realisation.