MPs have been crisscrossing various halls of the conference centre where the June ordinary session of parliament is ongoing, in the business of scrutinising and adopting bills, quizzing the executive as well as attending parliamentary network meetings.
Members of the National Assembly have known no respite since the start of the June session. The tight schedule has seen them take part in information sessions, general debates on bills and their adoption, questioning some members of government on particular worries as well as attending meetings of various parliamentary networks. The MPs have simply been going about their business as the people’s representatives, aiding in the making of laws for the good of the population as well as gathering information to relay to their constituents once the session is over.
As an interlude to the MPs’ well defined schedule, Hon. Cavaye Yegiue Djibril Speaker of the National Assembly in the company of Prime Minister Joseph Dion and Wang Yingwa, Chinese ambassador alongside some members of government on 4 July 2022 visited the construction site of the National Assembly. During a guided tour led by Hon. Théodore Datouo, head of the follow up committee of the construction works, the visitors learned that the project is at 60 % realisation.
Amongst the bills recently examined and adopted is that on medically assisted reproduction in Cameroon. Having noticed that this activity has increased in Cameroon and lacks a legal framework and which could pave the way for multiple abuses, the bill seeks to provide a legal response to the strong desire for parenthood for married or unmarried couples. The adoption of the bill will fill the legal void that existed in the sector, allowing for the regulation of this activity which according to the explanatory statement remains somewhat complex as it involves medicine, bioethics besides its potential impact on social values.
As for Bill No.25/PJL/AN to amend and supplement some provisions of law No. 97/12 of January 1997 to lay down conditions of the entry, stay and exit of foreigners in Cameroon, the aim is to improve consular services. The bill contains major innovations in the visa procedures of Cameroon’s diplomatic missions in terms of security, finance and access to consular services. The current legislation does not cover the digitisation of visa procedures and innovative consular service delivery methods. This explains. If implemented, the reforms contained in the bill could facilitate travel to the Cameroon destination, thus aligning the country with relevant international standards and enhancing the quality of its consular services. Scrutinised by the Constitutional Laws Committee, the bill was defended by the minister of External Relations and adopted during a plenary sitting that was chaired by Hon. Théophile Baoro, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Claudette CHIN
