Financial Misconduct Allegations Rock MINPOSTEL-Cameroon: 900 Million FCFA Missing

A brewing scandal is unfolding at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL) involving an alleged attempt to misappropriate 900 million FCFA intended for staff bonuses.

The controversy centers on conflicting statements regarding the distribution of penalties imposed on telecommunications operators.

During a weekly coordination meeting on July 23, 2024, KOU KOLO KOU KOLO GERMAIN, the Director of General Affairs at MINPOSTEL, reported that the 900 million FCFA earmarked for staff bonuses was still held up at the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART). This amount represents the penalties collected from telecommunications operators.

However, this assertion contradicts information from Philemon Zo’o Zame, the Director General of ART, who had previously communicated to MINPOSTEL on July 9, 2024, indicating that the funds had already been transferred to the Ministry. This communication, sent over two weeks prior to the July 23 meeting, confirms the successful transfer of the funds to the Ministry’s designated Treasury account.

An excerpt from the letter from Philemon Zo’o Zame to Libom Li Likeng reads: “I am honored to inform you that the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) has transferred Nine Hundred Million (900,000,000) FCFA as performance bonuses derived from penalties in 2019 to the Single Treasury Account No. 12001 00673 11111111111 02, domiciled at the Specialized Treasury Office for MINPOSTEL.”

Copies of the transfer order substantiate this claim, shifting the locus of the issue from ART to MINPOSTEL. Employees of MINPOSTEL now accuse KOU KOLO KOU KOLO GERMAIN of orchestrating the diversion of these funds. They allege that GERMAIN, a protégé of Minister Libom Li Likeng, has been manipulating the situation to withhold the bonuses from staff after months of blaming ART for the delay.

The allegations against MINPOSTEL’s management suggest a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement and potential corruption. The discrepancy between the reported and actual status of the funds has intensified scrutiny on the Ministry's handling of staff bonuses. 

Further investigation is essential to determine the whereabouts of the funds and to hold accountable those responsible for any financial misconduct. The Ministry and ART are expected to provide clarifications and corrective measures to resolve the situation and restore trust among the Ministry’s employees.