Muyuka: Local authorities have raised concerns over significant tax evasion activities by Source Du Pays, a prominent drink and water production company, during the examination, voting, and adoption of the administrative, management, and store management accounts for the 2024 financial year of the Muyuka Council. The Mayor, Landjinou Njomgoue Lazare, reported during a plenary session on April 11 that although the revenue had increased by 79.9% from 2023, challenges persisted due to the prevailing socio-political conditions affecting the municipality. He highlighted Source Du Pays as a key violator, noting the company’s failure to comply with local tax laws.
According to Cameroon News Agency, Mayor Njomgoue Lazare expressed frustration over the company’s practices, stating, “Most of our taxpayers have either relocated or died due to the crisis. Source Du Pays, known as Super Mont, is not helping matters. Even the payment of their park fees is done at the level of Douala.” The mayor emphasized the council’s re
liance on funds from Fonds Spécial d’Équipement et d’Intervention Intercommunale (FEICOM) throughout 2024, as the company continued to evade local tax obligations.
The mayor further lamented that Source Du Pays allegedly felt untouchable due to connections in Yaounde, leading to neglect of their financial responsibilities to the Muyuka Council. In response, councillors called for a protest at the company’s water bottling plant located at Ekona, within the Muyuka region.
Despite these challenges, the review of 2024 showed a slight improvement in the socio-political climate, although Muyuka remained the most affected municipality in the Fako Division due to an ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West regions. Public Investment Budget realization for 2024 was 80.63%, with the council having an opening balance of 61,604,089 FCFA. The total revenue collected for the year amounted to 857,317,872 FCFA, leading to a total of 918,921,961 FCFA. The expenditure for the same period reached 872,229,442 FC
FA, resulting in a revenue surplus of 46,692,519 FCFA.
Key projects completed in 2024 included the rehabilitation and equipping of the Bavenga-Ikata Health Centre, the completion and equipping of the Muyuka Council canteen, grading of the N0.08 to Mungo River road, and rehabilitation and fencing of the Muyuka slaughterhouse.
Additionally, Mayor Njomgoue Lazare announced the upcoming award of 27 medals to distinguished council staff on May 1, 2025. The plenary session, being the first for 2025, was attended by the D.O. for Muyuka, Tanyi Akwo, representing the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako. The D.O. encouraged massive voter registration, urging councillors to lead by example and motivate their constituents to actively participate in voting, highlighting the importance of civic duty.