Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai with officials after the SWR budget launch
By Guy-Bruno Maimo
The Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, has issued a stern warning to administrators, contractors and project owners over the low physical execution of projects despite high financial disbursements. The warning was issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, during the official launch of the 2026 State Budget for the South West Region at the Buea Town Council Hall.
During the ceremony, it was revealed that some FCFA 55 billion has been earmarked for development projects in the South West Region under Cameroon’s 2026 State Budget. Out of this amount, FCFA 16 billion will be managed by regional and local councils for investment projects, while the remaining funds will be executed by the central administration.
Governor Bilai highlighted a persistent gap between financial and physical execution of projects across the Region. He noted that while financial execution rates often stand at 70 to 80 percent, many projects remain below 50 percent completion. “Financial executions are above the physical execution. Is that normal? People want to be paid without working. That’s what it means in common language. So we should stop it,” the Governor stated.
Reviewing the 2025 budget performance, the Governor regretted that Fako and Ndian Divisions recorded barely 50 percent project execution, attributing the poor performance to delays in tender processes, contractors’ limited access to financing, and, in some cases, insecurity. However, he stressed that insecurity should no longer be used as a blanket excuse, given the relative calm now prevailing in many localities.
“My expectation is clear: financial and physical execution must reach 100 percent before December 2026,” Governor Bilai emphasized. He warned that failure to meet deadlines or deliver quality work would attract disciplinary measures and sanctions, in line with the Public Contracts Code and other regulatory instruments.
He further identified systemic challenges such as the slow processing of tender documents, central level contracts not being shared with regional engineers, and contractors lacking the financial and technical capacity to execute projects effectively, urging project owners to speed up implementation, ensure strict supervision, and prioritize projects that directly impact communities, particularly in the areas of health, education, and local infrastructure.
Despite the setbacks recorded in 2025, Governor Bilai expressed optimism that lessons learned and improved working conditions would lead to better project execution in 2026. His address reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the efficient use of public funds, ensuring that government spending translates into tangible development and improved living standards for the people of the South West Region.
