Curtains finally dropped Wednesday July 4, 2012 for the June Session of the National Assembly and as Members of Parliament head back to their constituencies, they are beating their chest for a ‘job well done.” For one month, both the legislature and executive are unanimous that it was an intense session full of actions with national interest at the fore.
Corruption
The hallmark was on the opening of the session, June 6, 2012 during which the Speaker of the House, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, hammered on the fight against corruption, making the position of the Assembly clear to any body who wanted to hear. A declaration that was endorsed by most MPs who pointed out that Cameroonians live in poverty and a comprehensive fight against corruption to get the guilty to repay what they have swindled from the State over the years was indispensable. Though at the preventive level, they advocated mechanisms to control people while they are working so as not to let them too lose to do anything anyhow.
Multifarious Bills
On every lip, be it that of the Parliamentarian or the man on the street, the bringing back of the bill on the Special Criminal Court was worth the salt. The bill that is tantamount to a second reading after being adopted in December last year, MPs say, tells of the concern government has for Cameroonians. The coming back of the bill means modifications that were raised will be taken into consideration. SDF MP, Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam, in a chat in Cameroon Tribune on June 27 on the return of the bill said: “what has come now actually complements that law because the latter gave some kind of advantage to the Court of First Instance and the High Court in terms of the proceedings. It gave some room for fair trials to those courts than much longer period they could go through the Court of First Instance, the High Court, Court of Appeal, before the Supreme Court.” Other bills also came to the fore with air transport agreement between Cameroon and China and the other on trade links with Egypt and Tunisia respectively highly applauded. However, the rejection of the private members bill tabled by the SDF on the need for a commission to investigate the compensation of victims of the plane crash of December 3, 1995 in Douala where 71 lives perished was also much talked about. In all, five bills were tabled and four adopted to the satisfaction of MPs.
Juvenile Delinquency
Heated debates also came up with MPs concerned about the growing phenomenon of juvenile delinquency especially with an increase in street children. The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang however, cautioned all, saying that parents should take their responsibility. Measures taken by government were also highlighted with the Minister of Social Affairs explaining how her ministry has been working to join some street children to their families. Public Health Minister responding to questions on insecurity in hospitals said they have put in place measures whereby all visitors wear identification badges.
Miscellaneous
Apart from examining and adopting bills and questioning of Members of Government on the wellbeing of the country, MPs were also engaged in extra-curricular activities. Parliamentary Group work kept some of the MPs busy. Seminars to edify up MPs on the stakes of climate change and on the government’s new concept of budgeting kept the people’s representatives active during the month-long June 2012 Parliamentary.
