The Governor of the North West Region has encouraged the North West Development Authority (MIDENO) to step up the involvement of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women in the institution's agenda. Lele Lafrique Adolphe Tchoffo Deben made the remark during the 56th Board of Directors meeting of the Authority on Friday 23 December 2023.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Governor expressed concerns about the number of women in the board but remained hopeful that in future the number will increase. Both at opening and closing, Governor Lele makes mention of persons with disabilities. He appreciates the assistance given them in 2023 and demands for more in future.
"We have insisted during this meeting of today, of the necessity to take care of the needs of women of the North West Region in different ways including supplying them with tools to fight against poverty. It goes the same with the disabled who we took care of last year and we are hoping that this year with the increment of the budget of almost five billion given by government to MIDENO, to address the major concerns of both the women and the disabled as well as the farmers of the North West Region." Governor Lele Lafrique told The Hilltop Mail
"We encourage management to ensure a gender sensitive style of budgeting in order to mainstream women issues into MIDENO activities." The noted in his closing remarks
The board meeting which was dedicated to the examination and adoption of the 2023 Result Based Budget, also gave room for the board to handle other issues
While recommendations the follow up of ongoing works like the construction of the fence of the MIDENO building, the construction of the coffee shops, rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads and rehabilitation of maize seed drying structures, the board noted with appreciation the steps taken by management to surmount some of the difficulties during the year under review.
"The board received with hope information of the 4.3 billion frs Emergency Project to fight against food insecurity which MIDENO will be implementing in 2024/25. The board also listened to the situation report on the Rice Value Chain Project and the second phase of the Livestock Project. It is my fervent belief that even with the limited financial resources put at the disposal of the Authority; Management can still create meaningful community impact as was the case in the past years." Governor lele said
"The Board applauds the field realizations recorded in 2023 particularly: the distribution of quality planting material to farmers, the successful organization of the 2023 Farming Season. We also noted with appreciation, the operationalization of the heavy duty equipment pool which has created noticeable community impact and has generated internal revenue to mitigate the financial hiccups of the Authority. Other realizations which the board appreciated include the socioeconomic empowerment of people with disabilities, rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructures." He added
While presenting the situation of MIDENO to the board, the General Manager, Cletus Anye Matoya raised challenges relating to finances. The board took note and promised that something will be done to encourage increase in subvention from government while encouraging the management to seek better ways to ensure the timely disbursement of funds.
The Board of Directors' Meeting came a few days after the Management of MIDENO revealed during a press conference that the budget realization rate for 2023 stood at 75%.