Within the last days, Members of Parliament have been looking at two important bills. One from the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development defended last Monday June 28 by Minister Ndanga Ndinga Badel. The bill is aimed at amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Mining Code put in place by Law No 2001/1of 16 April 2001.

As a matter of fact, the bill seeks to promote and encouragemining of mineral resources necessary for Cameroon’s socioeconomic development. At a time when several mineral resources have been discovered in our country (Gold, Bauxite, Iron, etc), the bill opens up the mining sector to free enterprises, clearly defining the role of each stakeholder. As well, it defines a specific fiscal regime in order to make the mining sector attractive, competitive and non-discriminatory.

On the basis of what precedes, the issues that need to be amended include requirements to show evidence of technical and financial capacities, an increase in the mining revenue by introducing added value or bonuses, increasing the state’s share inmining projects and a change of the nomenclatures in use in the domain. As well, the bill envisages an introduction of pre- emptive rights of the state, an obligation to start work one or two years after signing of  final documents, a reduction of the surface area of exploration permit and duration, the possibility to conclude interim agreements with mining investors, introduction of measures to encourage emergence and perpetuation of national enterprises. Moreover, the bill makes provision for the promotion of development of local processing industries as well as the adoption of fiscal arrangements related to the establishment of a mineral deposit rehabilitation fund.

The second bill recently submitted to the people’s representatives came from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, that on cyber crimes. This bill is centered on securing the electronic communication networks and information systems. As a matter of fact, the development and emergence of information and communication technologies require a legal framework to govern activities of the sector. More so, the proliferation of electronic communication in Cameroon (and elsewhere in theworld ) requires the powers that be to take necessary measures aimed at quelling new forms of “soft criminality” (internet scams, prostitution via theinternet, etc)  that are taking centrestage in our country. On this score, the 97 section bill defines the mostdeterrent criminal charges and penalties against those using new technologiesto undermine morality, dignity and security of persons as well theirproperties. The bill further makes a difference between deterrence to be takenby electronic communication networks operators and providers of relatedservices. Also important is the fact that the bill seeks to set up a cyberpolice force, define major cyber crimes, determine legal procedures to helpascertain them and formulate general principles of cooperation and mutualinternational legal assistance. From a practical perspective therefore, theMinistry charged with the follow up of Telecommunications will develop andimplement an electronic communication security policy while the National Agencyfor Information and Communication Technologies will regulate electronicsecurity activities. Along similar lines, the bill seeks to institute a fee tobe paid by approved certification authorities and used to finance cybersecurity and cyber crime research, development and training. By and large, theadoption of the bill will build confident electronic communication networks andinformation systems and better protect basic human rights, including the rightto human dignity, honour and respect of privacy, as well as the legitimateinterest of legal persons.