RENOVATION OF OFFICES:

There was need to renovate and refurnish the Council offices.  The abandoned alkali court building has been transformed to offices for the Deputy Mayors.  The residence for the Municipal Treasurer was also renovated. The Kumbo Council building and premises have been renovated and given a new look, with beautiful flowers planted to beautify the premises. The offices have also been refurbished and the Mayor’s Office has been given an executive look.  In 2006, a satellite dish connected to the Council Office with two television screens. One is placed at the Mayor’s Office and the other placed at the general office. This is aimed at providing entertainment for those who come to the council for one reason or the other.

Two electronic typing machines, twelve desk-top computers, a printer, a duplicating machine, a scanner, a multifunctional fax, a photocopier, and two hundred potable chairs for use in the council. Ten desktop computers will be channeled to the various council departments and the Information Centre.  It is intended that all council services will be computerized.

Thanks to assistance from HELVETAS, the Kumbo Council has been connected to the internet. This will go a long way to ease foreign correspondence and follow-up of some prestigious projects linked partnerships such as twinning. The internet will also serve as a big forum for funding opportunities to the Kumbo Council which shall be browsed online.
 

              The old Mercedes Tipper, which was found in parts and ready for auction has been repaired and is now very strong and functional.
In a bid to improve on the revenue situation, of the council, and the state of the council roads, two decent Mercedes 1617CK Benz tipper have been obtained through a loan from FEICOM.
               A back executive Toyota runner car has also been obtained for the administrative function of the mayor.  This has increased the fleet of council vehicles to five. In 2006, the Kumbo Council acquired a fairly used Toyota Hilux, thanks to FEICOM funds. The car costs 13.8 million including taxes and other documents that must accompany a vehicle. With the municipality’s rough and muddy terrain, it was but necessary that the Council obtains a vehicle of this magnitude to guarantee accessibility into inaccessible areas.

VEHICLES

The existing Hilux, which because of its old and dilapidated state was now called the ‘old lakyana’, as it was fast becoming a liability rather than an asset.  Therefore, in the 2004 Council Budgetary Session, it was deliberated upon that it be replaced. The New Toyota Hilux symbolizes the enthusiasm of the Council authorities to reach out to the heart of the municipality, in a bid to have a feel of the needs of the population.
 

The Kumbo Council has recently acquired a band worth two million eight hundred and fifty thousand. According to Mayor Njong Fonyuy Donatus, the band will be used for public occasions such as the National Day, Youth Day, Labour Day, and International Women’s Day etc. This will equally serve as entertainment and animation for events such as weddings, death celebrations, etc.

The band is also a source of employment for some citizens in the Kumbo Municipality. The band contains musical instruments such as drums of various categories, tambourine, cymbals, triangle, saxophones, 1^st B flat clarinet, piccolo, flute, pianos, and wireless microphone; etc.
 

CAPACITY   BUILDING

To improve on the quality the quality of personnel in the council, four young university graduates were recruited and sent to the local Government Training Centre- CEFAM Buea.  Two studied council administration and the others read council treasury and accounts.  They have been working in the council since 2001. The council has also sponsored GCE A level holders in the Advanced School of Public Works, annex Buea, in the Civil Engineering and the Town Planning and Survey Sections respectively.
                  In addition, the council staff have undergone a series of capacity building trainings.  Two council staff were recently trained in Bot-Makak as resource persons. A project on Computing and Bilingual Literacy has also been elaborated for Council Executive and Staff.

Since 1996, the councilors of the Kumbo Council have undergone a series of trainings. Immediately after elections, councilors are trained on their role as development agents in the community. Later, they were schooled on participatory management and project management. This was intended to help them better plan and manage projects at their various council areas in a participatory manner.
 

In recent years, there has been an aggressive marketing campaign for the municipality. This has been done by the designing and hosting of the council web site, the publishing of Council's handbook and the Council Magazine - "FOCUS ON KUMBO", that carries information on the Council’s Vision, its Projects, and the Potentials of the municipality. This also helps the population have a vivid picture of the Council's Activities carried out so far.