Anti-terrorism laws, games of chance and socio-economic situations of the regions animated debates in the first two days of the first semester conference.

 The first semester conference of Regional Governors that ends today in Yaounde has so far been characterised by paper presentations. Apart from new security challenges that constitute the main theme of the conference chaired by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, René Emmanuel Sadi, the Governors have also been drilled on some salient issues such as the December 23, 2014 Law on the repression of acts of terrorism, the July 16, 2015 Law on the regulation of Games of Chance, the role of governors in regional disciplinary councils of the public service and the abusive use of Tramadol amongst others.

As concerns the anti-terrorism laws, the interim Chief of Division for Legal Affairs in MINATD, Prof Jean Claude Tcheuwa, situated the content of the instrument in the present context where acts of terrorism are on the rise not only in the country but at the international level citing the barbaric terror acts perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in the Far North Region.  With the explanations, Prof Tcheuwa hoped that the administrative authorities can now anticipate and prevent aspects of terrorism.

The role of administrative authorities in the implementation of the law on games of chance was also highlighted by the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Jules Doret Ndongo. He charged them to ensure a scrupulous respect of the law by promoters and users of games of chance facilities. They are also expected to ensure permanent controls of such structures.