At launch of 2013 state budget: MINFI boss reiterates gov’t’s zeal to improve citizens’ living standards.

He made this declaration yesterday in Douala while officially launching the 2023 state budget.

The launching of the state budget which stands at 6,345.1 billion FCFA, was attended by delegations from the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Ministry of Public Contracts, Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development, and other local actors in the budget chain.

The 2023 state budget began being implemented on January 1 following the December 27 promulgation of the finance laws.

In his opening remarks, Minister Motaze said the choice of the Littoral region to host such an important launch of the country's budget was not insignificant. The region, in its capacity as the economic hub of the country, plays a major role in the state at the level of resources it mobilises.  

Within the context of great economic recession, the government through the finance minister noted that the Littoral region will contribute more.

With an increase of 264.7 billion FCFA of approximately 4.4% in relative value, the Littoral, and its two entities that is, Littoral 1 and 2, were accorded the gross sum of 100 billion FCFA including funding for central management and decentralised management.

The money has been geared towards priority projects engaged in health, agriculture and infrastructure.

Some of the projects, Minister Motaze outlined include strengthening and stabilising the Douala electricity network, development of the roads in the East entrance to the city of Douala, construction of a second bridge over the Dibamba River, development of the Youpwè shores and the fish market, rehabilitation of the bridge over River Wouri, refurbishing works on the Douala-Bonepoupa and Bonepouba-Yabassi road, rehabilitation of the Douala-Bandjoun road, Bekoko-Loum-Pont in the  Nkam division and completion of the construction of the SDO’s office in Nkongsamba.

Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Yimo-Barehock-Nkongsamba roundabout, rehabilitation of the Manjo-Mangamba road in the Mungo division, construction of bridge at Edéa and maintenance of public lighting network in Nkongsamba.

It should be noted that the 2023 budget has been launched within a context of great economic downturn caused by the global health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, causing a drop in global exports.

These have led to a global inflation and hikes in prices of basic commodities. To this effect, the Director of Budget in the Finance Ministry, Edou Alo'o, said the Head of State, Paul Biya, had done all to keep prices of basic commodities at affordable rates especially for the most vulnerable sectors.

He said the government, for the year 2023, has diversified the state's sources of revenue, to structure the economy and create new jobs for the youths, improve on the productivity and competitiveness of the economy and effectively implement the import-substitution policy initiated two years ago.

The government, Edou Alo'o, disclosed has allocated funds for local producers to boost local production and improve on the mechanism for promoting agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.

In 2023 the budget allocated for import substitution policy, stands at 136 billion FCFA, against 33 billion FCFA budgeted for 2022.

Regarding the implementation of the decentralisation policy, the state, it was disclosed, has allocated 505.4 billion FCFA for effective powers to decentralised collectivities of which 252.8 billion FCFA in tax transfers including, garbage collection of 26 billion FCFA. The said amount witnessed an increase of 12.6 billion FCFA, that is an addition of 5.2% compared to 2022 when it stood at 240.2 billion FCFA.

Minister Motaze went ahead to enjoin the various state actors to ensure effective transfer of power according to the guidelines prescribed by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief, Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. He, however, lamented the fact that councils have not proven success in effective budget implementation.