More cabinet ministers continued defending their 2016 budgets yesterday.

Yesterday, December 9, 2015 was yet another busy day for members of the Finance and Budget Committee of the Senate led by Elie Victor Tsoungui Essomba, with the participation of Senate President, Marcel Niat Njifenji. After the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Madeleine Tchuente and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Clementine Ananga Messina, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Marie Therese Abena Ondoa took her turn before the panel scrutinising all aspects of the draft budget for the 2016 financial year.

While defending the FCFA 6.8 billion allocated to her ministry, Marie Therese Abena Ondoa underscored the FCFA 1 billion budget increase and disclosed that the ministry will focus on three programmes. She named women’s empowerment and gender promotion, family development and protection of children’s rights as well as institutional development and governance.

On the heels of the Women’s Empowerment Minister were the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng and the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mkpatt. As at press time, more cabinet ministers were expected before the Finance and Budget Committee.