Their second quarter get-together holding in Yaounde ends on December 18, 2014.

Governors of the 10 regions of Cameroon will part company this December 18, 2014 after meeting for three days in Yaounde for their second quarter assembly. They started meeting on December 16 under the chair of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, René Emmanuel Sadi. By the time the Governors rise from their caucus this Thursday, instructions on stimulating measures to curb security threats and offering life-changing services to the population in the socio-economic domains would have been drafted.

Security Fears

If there is one area Regional Governors are being tasked to redouble vigilance, it is security and the need to offer maximum safety to persons and goods. The second quarter conference is coming at the end-of-year flurry, often marked by increased incidents of assault and accidents. The infiltration of Boko Haram militants, their attacks in the Far North Region as well as Central African Republic rebel incursions in the East Region, remain lurking threats government wants to put a halt to. The assembly is emphasising on security and according to René Emmanuel Sadi, alertness must remain the best and obligatory friend to Governors and their high command. The Delegate General for National Security and the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of National Gendarmerie, both dished out security directives and measures for end-of-year festivities.  This is in addition to regular meetings at regional levels with Governors and their aides on stemming the bane of criminality. 

Socio-economic Concerns

Cameroon is a land of plenty, full of rich potentials and hardworking people. But for the impact to be felt, the country’s resources must be harnessed. Regional Governors best understand this; reason why they, from time to time, undertake tours to size-up the socio-economic wellbeing of the population and the impact on their livelihoods. Infrastructure - especially roads, electricity and water coverage are among the concerns on the lips of almost all the Governors. For agricultural products to benefit farmers, farm-to-market roads must be passable. In spite of the fact that most Cameroonians are embracing farming, some Governors still decry the feet-dragging involvement of some youths in the sector. In addition, the resurgence of Poliomyelitis and the influx of Nigerian and Central African refugees to the Far North and East Regions respectively, pushed the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation to bring the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to present “Government’s Emergency Plan”, and the contribution of Regional Governors to its projected outcomes. The Public Health Ministry, on its part, reiterated the “Role of administrative authorities in rolling back poliomyelitis” while the Director of Territorial Organisation dwelled on the “Uniformity of administrative authorities: stakes and challenges.”  

The December meeting of Governors came on the heels of the adoption by Parliament of FCFA 3,746.6 billion as 2015 State budget. As the government’s eyes and ears on the field, the Governors are expected to oversee the execution of public investment projects to the optimal level.