Several ministers including that of Water and Energy, Defence, Women’s Empowerment and Finance have faced Members of Parliament in plenary sessions aimed at responding to worries from MPs.
Finance minister, Louis Paul Motaze was asked about the importance of the unique identification number for tax payers through the e-bulletin act and problem of double identification numbers for some Cameroonians. He explained what the unique identification numbers for tax payers was adding that some civil servants who had these numbers before the digital process of inscription were prone to having double numbers after registering when the process was digitalised. He said his ministry is working to harmonize its data.
Amongst many worries, the minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family had to answer questions addressed on the topics of, discrimination, sexism lack of freedom, early and forced marriages. Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa stated the importance of activities surrounding women’s day which are geared towards empowering women intellectually and socially engage them to make good leaders in the society. The ministry of women’s empowerment benefits from financial support from partners that go a long way to be invested in programmes that empower women.With regard to leadership, Minister Marie Thérèse was elated that more women occupy positions of power proof that government is making strides of inclusion. She said the creation of women empowerment centres in all regions of Cameroon is to train women to become young entrepreneurs through their various programmes. On the protection of the child and family, she stressed that no wedding is officiated without the consent of the bride.
In the wake of the called off strike by teachers following prompt measures instructed by the Head of state, there is still the issue of teachers in want in some parts of the country. In response to the worry of one of the MPs concerning the shortage of teachers and medical staff the minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms Joseph Le said government has recruited an important number of teachers and health workers over the years. He added that the demand is enormous and his ministry is working on dispatching health workers and teachers where they are needed.
Abandoned Infrastructure, Faulty Electricity Supply
Regarding the abandonment of projects by the engineering corps of the military in the Far North region, Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister of Defence said the Military Engineering Corp is not an independent body and carries out projects based on assignments and resources. He listed projects which the engineering corps has achieved in the past couple years, highlighting some projects which were not completed because of lack of funds. He however reassured that government and partners are not relenting efforts to ensure that these projects are completed.
On the Issue of electricity supply, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, Minister of Energy and Water Resources explained that a lot of dams such as the Lagdo and Memvele have lost water causing power supply shortage. The minister announced that strides such as the creation of a solar power plant in Guider in the North region will help reduce the power cuts. He equally said the raining season will increase the water table in dams which will benefit electricity production and supply.
Claudette CHIN
