The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang says it is important for Cameroonians to have faith in the country’s national carrier, Cameroon Airlines Corporation (CAMAIR-CO) and patronize it for the company to make money and compete well with established international airlines. He was speaking in the National Assembly on November 25, 2011 as he clarified issues on the management of CAMAIR-CO during a question time plenary sitting chaired by House Speaker, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, in the presence of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Gregoire Owona
Philemon Yang who is also the board chair of CAMAIR-CO, responded to Hon. Mohamadou Ahidjo’s seven questions on the running of the airline. “CAMAIR-CO is still a baby with less than eight months in business,” Mr. Yang explained, adding that “We have the unshakable ambition to make it grow into a respectable international company.”
Clearing the air
CAMAIR-CO’s financial records, the board chair said, are up to date, refuting allegations that in March 2011, the airline had currency exchange problems with the American aircraft manufacturer, Boeing. He said there was no currency exchange error, citing results from checking the company’s account. The airline’s vehicle fleet, Philemon Yang assured the Members of Parliament, is managed by a fleet supervisor and adequate measures are in place to tract the movement of vehicles. He was answering Hon. Ahidjo’s question on the alleged poor management of vehicles leading to the disappearance of some of them. Mr. Yang denied that any vehicle had disappeared from the company’s fleet.
Cameroon Airlines Company, the Head of Government further said, has a tenders board that went operational since June 16, 2011, stating that all contracts respect norms and ordered goods and services are supplied. He stated that when the company just took off, exceptional procedures were used to award contracts to meet deadlines, but still in strict respect of the law. He said there were no fictitious contracts in the company, stating that the General Manager signs the contracts and may delegate powers to the Deputy General Manager. All the procedures conform to laid down principles, he assured. The company’s account are properly audited by Bekolo & Partners and external auditors, while the position of an internal auditor has been created.
Mr. Yang told the parliamentarians that the company’s staff who travel abroad are for training, trade negotiations and for other transactions, refuting claims of too many trips abroad without justification. The company’s General Manager, he said, only travels out on the authorization of the board chairman.
Social Security
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Robert Nkili answered questions from Hon. Kalbassou Daniel on continuous low retirement benefits and family allowances paid by the National Social Insurance Company (CNPS). Hon. Fobi Nchinda Simon complained about the alleged ill treatment and illegal lay off of staff in the West and North West Regions by Pari Mutuel Urbain Camerounais (PMUC). The Minister said reforms under consideration will resolve the problem of low retirement benefits, family allowances and other social issues to improve conditions of workers. On the situation of PMUC workers, he promised to order an investigation into the matter.
Facilitating Payment
The Minister of Finance, Essimi Menye answering a question on what government was doing to facilitate the payment of retirement benefits, said the country faced the problem of archiving files. He advised that people should write phone numbers on their files and also visit the website of the Ministry of Finance. He explained that most retired people do not always furnish complete files. Consequently, incomplete files are rejected. Once the files have all the required documents, processing moves faster, the Minister assured.
The Finance Minister also answered questions on the assets of liquidated and privatised State companies and why the dues of some workers of these companies have not been paid. He said all the legal dues of the workers have been paid and the constant protests and demonstrations concern dues not provided for by law.
Other concerns
The Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Louis Paul Motaze answered questions on government’s emergency energy plan for the South West, especially Manyu Division where logging is one of the main economic activities but no wood processing company is located there. The Minister said government plans to set up cluster towns for wood processing with Bertoua and Yaounde selected for now. Concerning energy problems, he cited the various dam and thermal plant projects that will boost electricity supply, specifying that the thermal plant under construction in Bamenda will also serve Manyu Division. The Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda answered questions on government’s fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
