By Etienne Nfor Liboh
The Northwest Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) has trained 105 Community-Based Assistants (CBAs) to prepare them for a 2026 grassroots campaign aimed at helping councils generate revenue beyond traditional taxes.
The three-day refresher and orientation workshop, held from October 8 to 10 at the PIC Auditorium in Up-Station Bamenda, brought together the community volunteers who serve as the Office’s grassroots representatives across the seven divisions of the Northwest Region.
This year’s campaign, themed, “New Sources, New Strength: Growing Council Revenue Beyond Taxes”, seeks to encourage Regional and Local Authorities to explore alternative income sources while ensuring transparency and financial probity in managing public funds.
Opening the workshop, the Public Independent Conciliator for the Northwest Region, Tamfu Simon Fai, reminded participants that their work went beyond attending training sessions.
He stressed that good governance becomes meaningful only when it reaches communities where citizens live, work and interact with public institutions.
The annual exercise serves as a refresher for returning assistants and an induction for newly recruited volunteers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to represent the PIC effectively in their respective municipalities.
Dr Bamjo Herman, one of the participants, said discussions focused on the legal framework governing non-tax revenue generation and practical ways councils could diversify their income.
Participants examined opportunities such as the development and management of parks and recreational sites, which could provide councils with additional revenue.
Dr Bamjo said the campaign also built on previous PIC initiatives addressing citizen participation in governance and access to civil status documents.
“This time around, we are looking at non-tax activities that can actually generate income for the council,” he said, explaining that CBAs would take the campaign’s message directly to communities.
Beyond the policy discussions, participants received training in information gathering, handling and reporting techniques, as well as the objectives of the 2026 campaign, the relevant legal frameworks, the PIC survey and their code of conduct.
Dr Alfred Wuku, Research Officer No. 3, emphasised the two-way nature of the assistants’ responsibilities: taking information to citizens while bringing their concerns and experiences back to the Office.
The training comes as the PIC prepares to conduct its 2026 survey across council areas in all seven divisions of the region.
The 105 assistants are expected to sensitise residents on alternative revenue sources for councils, gather public feedback and document concerns to encourage constructive engagement between local authorities and their communities.
At the close of the workshop, participants were urged to return to the field with a strong sense of responsibility, maintaining the ethical standards and credibility required to promote good governance, accountability and prudent financial management across the Northwest Region.
