Politics

Paul Biya, the 83 years old man who has spent 34 of these years at the helm of Cameroon, signed a decree  Thursday,29 September 2016. This presidential decree is coming in from a foreign country other than his presidential palace, barely a few days after the end of the 71st general assembly of the U.N.O. which was his official pretext to leave the country.

 It should be noted that he is more at ease out of Cameroon where he prefers to ruminate in total tranquillity after hastily masticating our local first grade hay to his fill. As opposed to other Heads of State who left New York for their various countries immediately after the summit, our 'king' is still out of the country.

 In his charismatic governance from "Geneva-Switzerland" where he has made it his domicile of choice, the Head of State has signed a decree appointing  David Koulbout Aman as senior divisional officer for the Dja and Lobo Division, South Region, where the president hails from.  

The new S.D.O. replaces Bernard Marie Mba who has been relieved from his duties . The official reasons for the sack were not released. Nevertheless , information gathered from judicial sources by KOACI reveal that the sacked S.D.O. is involved in a financial scandal linked to compensation of locals around the Mekin Dam.

 The scandal has taken a strange twist and is now a matter of high import to the State. It involves top state officials whose names have been littered everywhere in local media organs. Sources say the S.D.O. could be charged for his involvement in this matter in the days ahead.

 It should also be noted that there is tension between the infamous S.D.O. and the Mayor of Sangmelima who happens to be a nephew to our Head of State. Observant people have also remarked that this is not the first time the president of the Republic is signing a decree of such magnitude from abroad.                             

 In his book titled, " The Secretary General of the Republic of Cameroon; Between Myths, Texts and Realities" , Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, a former Secretary General at the presidency of the Republic of Cameroon who is today behind bars  at the Kondengui central prison for embezzling public funds, writes that the President of the Republic is often compelled to fly out alongside senior state officials and very close collaborators when he so wishes to get their points of view on certain hot state issues.

The question whose answer is blowing in the wind is that; must very important issues only be discussed out of Cameroon ?

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Swato Alfredo

30.Sep.2016

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The Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, Cameroons second largest employer after the Government with over 22 000 employees including temporary workers, is facing serious challenges of growth of number of employees and availability of adequate infrastructure to accommodate them.

The growth in number of employees has pushed the CDC to construct new camps to accommodate its personnel. “We are creating new and modern camps for our workers. For those who cannot live in our camps, we give them 25% of their monthly salary to rent wherever they wish, we also have 100% health coverage for all our workers without discrimination, in fact we are few in Cameroon to do that”, IKOME MANYAYE Paul, the Public Relations and Communication Officer of CDC told a working group of Journalists under the United Nations Human Rights Commission for Central Africa. 

Despite these achievements made by the Parastatal Company to better the living and working conditions of its workers, much still needs to be done. After visiting the CDC new Camp in Njonge around Idenau in Fako Division and the Oil Mill in Idenau, a number of issues concerning human rights were raised ranging from Hygiene and Sanitation, Environmental pollution, Accommodation, Drainage system, Recreational facilities among others were raised. The Cameroon development Corporation has not been quick to readjust its housing policy. Workers still live in old houses constructed since 1947 when the corporation was created. And some of these houses have become too small to accommodate fast growing families. A family of five will find it difficult to live comfortably in one bed room and a parlor and in most cases small sizes.

Most of these houses have been dilapidated and begging for renovation. The CDC seems to be moving in the right direction by constructing new camps like that of Njonge, but despite the fact that the rooms are larger, some workers with more than two members of same family cannot afford to live in one room. The case of Irene VEKIMA whose husband has been working with CDC for ten years now, she told Cameroun Journal that they are five in number with just one bed room and a parlor; the children are forced to sleep in the living room due to lack of space. The United Nations Human Rights for Central Africa working group of Journalists also noted that the Njonge new Camp has not met with evolution in terms of modernity. The houses constructed are not modern, their toilets too. Whereas camps in areas such as Tiko, Middle farms, Limbe, Moliwe have modern toilets.

They concluded that modern camps will only be completed if toilets are modern. Most of these pit toilets are at time insufficient as compared to the number of inhabitants thus could lead to over crowdedness. For instance at the new Camp in Njonge where over 140 families are expected to be lodged, only 6 toilets and 6 bathe rooms are available for men and same figures for women. Some camps especially those in the interior do not have recreational centers where workers could assemble and release stress after hard labor. The creation of recreational and leisure centers such as playgrounds, parks, camps will boast the output of workers.Going by the 2012 studies of International Journal of Humanities and Social sciences , ‘’workplace recreation significantly contributes to employee productivity when viewed as part of rewards and benefits scheme.

This is achieved through motivation, body fitness and reduction in absenteeism. The results are consistent with those of a research by Department of Health Development, IIES (2006) which revealed negative correlations between productivity and subjective symptoms such stiff neck, low back pain and fatigue’’. The group however acknowledged the fact that Senior Service, S S clubs, exists with Tennis courts but a majority of those benefitting are found in urban areas. Most CDC camps are surrounded by waste materials which have either not been properly disposed or neglected.

This causes environmental pollution and is also fertile breeding grounds for Mosquitoes which transmits Malaria, one of killer diseases in Cameroon. Also poor drainage systems in CDC camps could stagnant water which can easily breeds mosquitoes. The presence of the water bodies can also be dangerous to surrounding residence especially children. And if adequate measures are not taken, can lead to floods in cases of downpour. The Cameroon Development Corporation has also put in place 100% health coverage but those living in suburbs will find it difficult to have access to quality health especially in cases of emergency. The UNHR working group of Journalists have recommended the acquisition of well equipped emergency ambulances that could transport serious cases to town and also the provision of modern equipments in its health centers found in camps.

According to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as adopted on 6 December by the General Assemble on December 6, 1966 and entry into force on January 3, 1976 and considering the obligation for enterprises to respect their engagements in Corporate Social Responsibilities, the working group of Journalists noted with satisfactory the role played so far by CDC but noted that the above mentioned lapses must be corrected as prescribed by article 12 of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on quality standard of living, mental health, industrial hygiene and improvement environmental aspects.

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Prince Nfor Hanson

30.Sep.2016

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It has been a hectic week for Mrs. Chantal Biya, who was very engaged in several activities at the 71^st UN General Assembly.

The job of a First Lady may appear glamorous, but below the surface, it comes with a lot of heavy work. This 71^st session of the UN General Assembly in particular, has been very hectic for the First Lady of Cameroon. Apart from the usual duties required of her by State Protocol, Mrs. Chantal Biya was at the forefront of several activities geared at either promoting a laudable cause, consolidating bilateral relations or working in support of one of the several UN Goodwill Ambassador positions she actively holds.

To begin with, Mrs Biya braved the rain that battered New York on Monday September 19, 2016, to honour the invitation of Mrs Michelle Obama, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in midtown Manhattan. The Broadway event was an initiative of the US Government’s “Let Girls Learn” program, which is a brainchild of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, in an effort to shed some light on the plight of millions of young girls around the world that have been cheated out of the right to standard education. Given that Mrs. Biya herself is well-known for her prolific activism in this domain, the occasion was a perfect avenue for her to showcase the advances Cameroon has made in this regard through her Foundation’s project dubbed “Ecole des Champions” ventures. The “Tea Party” reception at the Sutton Place residence of the UN Secretary General was another avenue for Mrs Biya and the wife of the UN Secretary-General Mrs. Ban Soon-Taek, together with over 170 First Ladies present at this year’s session of the UN General Assembly, to certainly work at consolidating the ties that exist between the various nations as well as their different social activities in their countries. 

When President Paul Biya, took to the rostrum to address his peers at the UN General Assembly, First Lady, Chantal Biya dutifully applied herself to the rigorous task of seating through the entire session, as her husband unveiled his vision for the theme of the 71^st session, “The Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform Our World”. With her characteristic good humour, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion cheered her husband on, certainly reflecting on more initiatives in this domain, to complement the excellent work her associations such as the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) and the African Synergy Against HIV and Suffering, are currently doing. It is evident with much satisfaction that Chantal Biya will be leaving New York with more grease to her elbows…

Brenda YUFEH NCHEWNANG-NGASSA

Cameroon Tribune

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Brenda YUFEH NCHEWNANG-NGASSA

28.Sep.2016

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The leader of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, appeared in a video posted on social media on Sunday in which he rejected statements by the country’s military that he had been seriously wounded.

Last month Nigeria’s air force said it had killed senior members of the group which has killed around 15,000 people and displaced more than two million in a seven-year insurgency aimed at creating a state adhering to strict Islamic laws. It said Shekau had been wounded.

“You broadcast the news and published it in your media outlets that you injured me and killed me and here I am,” said a man purporting to be Shekau in a video addressed to “tyrants of Nigeria in particular and the west of Africa in general”.

“I will not get killed until my time comes,” he added, in the 40-minute video posted on YouTube delivered in Arabic and Hausa which is spoken widely in northern Nigeria.

The military has reported Shekau’s death in the past, only to have a man claiming to be him appear later, apparently unharmed, making video statements.

Last month’s announcement by the air force came days after Islamic State, to whom Boko Haram pledged allegiance last year, announced the appointment of a new leader of the West African group in an apparent rejection of Shekau.

That appointment was later dismissed in a 10-minute audio clip on social media by a man purporting to be Shekau, exposing divisions within the jihadist group.

- Reuters

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Rita Akana

25.Sep.2016

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Delphine MEDJO Senator of the Mvila Division in South Region has died. Her death was announced early Thursday at the Yaoundé University teaching hospital. Born in 1941, Delphine MEDJO was part of the 22 members of the politburo of the ruling party. She is one of the oldest militant of the CPDM party, having witnessed the burial of the Cameroon National Union, CNU which gave birth to CPDM. She is the fourth senator to have died in office after Sen. BOCHONG Francis NKWAIN, Sen. Njifua and Sen. JIKONG Stephen YERIWA.

Delphine MEDJO was elected in 2013 as one of pioneer Senators in Cameroon following the putting in place of the Bi-Camera system of parliament

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Prince Nfor Hanson

23.Sep.2016

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September 16 2014, the Cameroon government gave producers of whisky in sachets two years to evacuate within which they had to stop the production and commercialization of whisky in sachet and begin a new transformation process into packaging. The ministry of Public Health threw its weight on the decision from Mines ministry saying that because it contains high concentration of ethanol, the health risk is disastrous.

September 16, 2016 two years later, the production and commercialization of Whisky in Sachets have instead become high. Cameroon's consumer league has accused the government of being double standard. Instead of using the rod on these defaulters, the government has resorted to dialogue, dialogue which has been spearheaded by Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological Development, Ernest Ngwaboubou and recommendations forwarded to the prime minster for final decision.

Observers hold that the government has demonstrated partiality in this case with Whisky in Sachets, what they didn’t do when the outbreak of birds’ flu was announced. This same government descended on Poultry farms, destroying eggs, fowls and products. The Cameroon government was very rigorous in its fight against circulation of non biodegradable plastic bags. She sent agents all over the national territory; the agents seized and destroyed plastic bags from recalcitrant vendors.  

Even though insufficient, the government of Cameroon compelled tobacco producers to inscribe on each packets that Tobacco is dangerous to health of consumers and those around them. So what is so particular about whisky in sachets that the ever ready government is back paddling? Instead of dictating to producers, it is the reverse. Officials of Consumers League say money could be the root of this drawback by the government which seem to have shamelessly conceding to the romantic words of producers who are pleading o grounds that the ban will lead to huge unemployment.

We of Cameroon Concord think that Whisky in sachets are dangerous to the human body and is a silent killer than the birds’ flu virus. We understand that both domains give high revenue to the government but when the health of an individual is at risk, it is imperative on the state to provide them solution. And the solution will start with the total elimination of the circulation of sachets whisky.

The drawback syndrome of the government has contaminated the Littoral administration, few days after the Senior Divisional officer for Wouri, Paul NASERI BEA launched a crackdown on illegal commercial bike riders operating without CEMAC number plates where over 100 bikes were impounded and 15 persons arrested, the governor of Littoral Samuel Dieudonne IHAVA DUBOIS has suspended the operation. Another blow on the administration that seemed powerless in front of protesting bikers. The riders stormed streets of Douala as if to say they are operating in a lawless sector and wish to continue that way.

The crackdown was beginning to be interested especially to commuters who go through hell in the hands of the lawless boys until the governor called an emergency meeting having seen how mobilized the bikers were. The littoral administration has in the past months been unable to sustain or make a comprehensive follow up of its orders.

Travel agencies are still fighting for space houses and buses with pedestrians in town whereas they were given an injunction to leave their respective areas and join others at the Bonaberie motor park. Littoral administration has not been able to solve the chronic urban disorder, Car Vendors around Hotel Du NDE in Akwa have never left their site despite several deadline given for them to do so.

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Prince Nfor Hanson

22.Sep.2016

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