The North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) has concluded its March 2026 Ordinary Session with renewed commitments to infrastructure development, financial expansion, and improved governance, as regional leaders outlined an ambitious roadmap aimed at strengthening decentralization and accelerating socio-economic transformation across the region.
The week-long session, which brought together elected representatives, government officials, and development stakeholders, focused on reviewing the Assembly's performance, evaluating financial management, and adopting measures intended to improve service delivery to local communities.
Closing the session, the Representative of the State and Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele L'Afrique, described the deliberations as timely and forward-looking, noting that the Assembly had continued to demonstrate increasing institutional maturity in the management of regional affairs.
He praised members for the quality of debates and decisions reached during the session, particularly the examination and approval of the 2025 administrative, management, and stores accounts, as well as adjustments made to the 2026 budget.
According to the governor, the Assembly successfully managed nearly FCFA 10 billion in 2025, reflecting growing confidence in the region's decentralized institutions. He expressed optimism that improved resource mobilization and sound financial management could significantly increase annual revenues in the coming years.
"The future of the region depends on our collective ability to manage available resources efficiently while remaining faithful to the legal framework guiding decentralization and regional development," he stated.
The Governor also highlighted discussions on insurance coverage for Assembly personnel and assets, psychological welfare, and human resource management, describing them as critical components of a modern and resilient institution.
Infrastructure development featured prominently during the session, with particular attention given to strategic road projects expected to improve connectivity and facilitate economic activities throughout the region. The governor encouraged continued efforts to advance studies on key transport corridors that would ease movement and improve access to basic services.
Meanwhile, President of the North West Regional Assembly, Professor Fru Angwafo III, hailed the session as another important milestone in the evolution of the regional institution.
He commended Assembly members for their commitment to democratic values, especially during the election of members into the Assembly's seven standing committees. According to him, the process reflected unity and maturity despite the competitive nature of the elections.
Professor Fru Angwafo III noted that the Assembly had once again demonstrated transparency and accountability through the successful adoption of financial reports and budgetary adjustments.
One of the major outcomes of the session was the revision of the Assembly's 2026 budget, which now stands at FCFA 20 billion. He observed that the institution's financial growth over the years reflects increasing confidence in the decentralization process.
From an initial budget of FCFA 3 billion during its early years, the Assembly has progressively expanded its financial capacity to FCFA 5 billion, then FCFA 10 billion, and now FCFA 20 billion.
The Assembly President also acknowledged the contributions of divisional caucuses, committee members, and technical experts whose interventions enriched discussions on development priorities.
Special attention was given to proposed road infrastructure projects linking Bamenda, Bafut, Befang, and Wum. Technical experts stressed the importance of preserving public land and preventing activities that could hinder future development initiatives.
The session further showcased the region's cultural diversity with visits from cultural ambassadors, including Miss North West and Miss Culture, whose participation was applauded for promoting cultural identity and youth engagement.
As proceedings came to an end, Assembly leaders reaffirmed their determination to pursue inclusive development, strengthen accountability, and bring governance closer to the people.
The session closed with a call for elected representatives to remain responsive to community needs, promote peace and social cohesion, and contribute actively to the realization of the region's development objectives.
With a larger budget, expanding institutional responsibilities, and renewed focus on infrastructure and governance, the North West Regional Assembly appears poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the region's future.
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