As Members of Parliament wait for the finance bill and other bills that might be tabled during the ongoing November 2011 ordinary session of the National Assembly, they are busy exploring ways of getting more development projects for their constituencies as well as being involved in other parliamentary activities.
The Ngoa-Ekelle National Assembly Glass Palace was virtually empty yesterday, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, nine days after Parliament reopened on Tuesday, November 1. By 1 pm, there was no programme yet on the session. Very few MPs could be spotted around, some visiting offices and others seeking information from their parliamentary groups. Many members of parliament of President Paul Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) were still on their way to Yaounde or had just returned after celebrating the 29th anniversary of President Biya’s accession to power in their constituencies.
Hon. Banmi Emmanuel who talked to Cameroon Tribune on telephone said he came in from his Ngoketunjia North Constituency in the North West Region the previous evening. On activities of MPs as they await the finance and other possible bills, he said, this was the time for them to visit ministries to lobby for more development projects and also find out the fate of already approved projects whose implementation is slow or those that have not even started. Hon. Banmi also disclosed that the parliamentary network for the promotion and empowerment of youths met last week.
The ongoing November 2011 ordinary sitting of Parliament opened on November 1 with House Speaker, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril urging MPs to attend the swearing-in ceremony of re-elected President Paul Biya. The ceremony took place on November 3 and it was the second time they were meeting in plenary. Many MPs left for their constituencies to celebrate the 29th anniversary of President Paul Biya’s accession to power after the searing-in ceremony. The CPDM Vice Parliamentary Group leader, Hon. Muyali Boya Mary Meboka who also spoke on the telephone, said they had been busy with the important events. She said the CPDM Parliamentary Group has not met since reopening. Reliable sources in the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) Parliamentary Group, disclosed that the group met on the opening day. The source said the next meeting may hold tomorrow Friday, November 11, 2011.
Meanwhile, staff of the National Assembly directly concerned with the session are ready for full activities. At the Communication unit for example, the names of accredited media houses and their reporters have been published.
