For outstanding customer service: Mmockmbie Credit Union shines again, bags prestigious CENPA Award.

This was during an epic award ceremony held at the cozy Yaounde Hilton Hotel. The award ceremony was organised by the Cameroon English Language Publishers Association, CENPA.

The highly publicised event saw in attendance top government functionaries, including the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng; the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Cooperstion with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu.

It was chaired by the Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication, Prof Felix Zogo.

The award jury, headed by renowned international lawyer and anti-corruption crusader, Barrister Akere Muna, said MmoCCUL was reognised for “its groundbreaking achievements within few years in the microfinance sector and for having the best clientele services”.

The award was received on behalf of MmoCCUL, by its emblematic and General Manager, Ngezem Fortsomo Skyly. 

This was in the presence of other staff of the credit union. Once handed the coveted prize, the MmoCCUL General Manager proceeded to presenting the award to the Paramount Ruler of Bamumbu, HRH, Senator Andreas Lekunze Nembo, who was amongst high profile guests at the event.

In an acceptance speech, the MmoCCUL General Manager, Ngezem Fortsomo Skyly, said the award was a rare honour and an encouragement for his institution to do more.

He said MmoCCUL was particularly grateful to members of the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association and the jury, for the distinction.

Ngezem told reporters that: “For us, this an additional red feather to our institution”.

“This award is titled ‘fastest growing and customer friendly institution’. We want to underline the word customer friendly. We are dedicating this award to our young and devoted staff who have been putting in their best to make sure that our growing members are satisfied,” he continued.

Ngezem then stated that he was also dedicating the award to the institution’s “valued and dear members who have been consistent”.

“Of course, if we are where we are today, it is because we have our members who are equally devoted and loyal to our services. Our promise is to be the best microfinance institution in Cameroon,” he added.

Ultramodern head office soon

Speaking further in his exchange with the media shortly after clinching the coveted prize, Ngezem disclosed that MmoCCUL has acquired land at the Rond Point Damas neighborhood in Yaounde, for the construction of an ultramodern head office. 

“Construction works have started already on our operational head office at Rond Point Damas in Yaounde. We got a 700m2 there on a strategic spot. Work has started. The pillars will start entering the ground in February 2025. But for now, the architects and the technicians are working to come out with what will meet the expectations of our very dear clients,” he told newsmen. 

Beyond the announced structure, Ngezem said: “We have a lot in store for members and the future is very pregnant”.

Swelling membership, branches

MmoCCUL, it should be said, currently counts 10 branches nationwide. The 10th branch was launched in Kumba, Meme Division of the South West Region, in March of this year.

In terms of fitting technology into the running of the microfinance institution, Ngezem looked back in amazement at what MmoCCUL has achieved digitally. 

“We are proud to say that this year, we did not only centralise our data base, we have gone completely digital. Members can completely pull and push money into their accounts. I think we can only thank our devoted staff who are extremely young and determined in the assignment given to them,” Ngezem declared.

Inspiring journey to the top

From its little beginnings with just 14 members at its launch at the market square of Mmockmbie in Lebialem Division of the South West Region, the microfinance institution as at January this year had over 8,500 members. 2,178 new accounts were created in 2023 alone.

The Yaounde branch of the category A microfinance institution saw the light of day on October, 15, 2017, following the departure of MmoCCUL from Lebialem, due to security concerns. 

However, movement of members to other Regions, led to expansion from Yaounde to the village neighborhood in Douala, Bafoussam and Dschang in the West Region; Bonaberi in the Littoral, Bamenda in the North West Region and Buea in the South West Region.

Impressive statistics, balance sheet

When members of the financial institution converged on Douala on January 29 this year, it was revealed that from January to December 2023, MmoCCUL, witnessed a 33% growth in members shares.

Shares are said to have grown from 54,438,452 FCFA as at January 2023 to 80,616,294 FCFA as at December 2023.

The said increase, it was gathered, came as result of the admission of new shareholders into the union and the recent share increase from 10,000 FCFA to 30,000 FCFA. 

Members savings, currently stands at 2,526, 1 53, 2 16 FCFA while members deposits at 251,403,312 FCFA.  For the period January 1 to December 31, 2023, MmoCCUL generated a total turnover of 416,2 10,002 FCFA as compared to 309,126,644 FCFA as at 1st of January 2023. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Issue No:3184 of Tuesday July 30, 2024