Assembly Bureau Votes Against Tribalism-Inspired Appointments

By Kini Nsom & Daniel Gwarbarah

The Bureau of the National Assembly, has voted against appointments in the institution that are inspired by tribalism, favouritism and partisan considerations.This was one of the main resolutions arrived at when the 23-member Bureau met at the Ngoa- Ekelle Glass House, January 7.

The meeting, which was aimed at scrutinising the files of the National Assembly workers who have been short-listed for appointments, ran into a storm when MPs asked to see the files of those earmarked for appointments. They took great exception to the hitherto tradition where names of those proposed for appointments into the various positions of the House were merely read out to them for adoption.

Speaking to The Post shortly after the meeting, one of the Vice Presidents of the National Assembly, said they were determined to ward off the situation where the virtue of meritocracy was relegated to the background in the appointment of personnel at the National Assembly.

He said henceforth, Bureau members would critically examine the files of personnel to see whether they really qualify for the various positions in which they have been earmarked for appointments.

The Bureau also adopted a new organigramme for the institution that cuts the bloated number of appointed officials to size.Contrary to the organigramme proposed in 2006 that has 268 appointed officials, the new organigramme maintains 164 posts. 

The Post learnt that even though the 2006 organigramme was adopted, it has never gone operational as only that of 1995 was still applicable.But then, it was hinted that new appointments have never been done in the House since 1995. 

MPs who attended the meeting also proposed a presentation of the organigramme on a flow chart so that at a glance, one should have a clear picture of the various positions.
Some of the National Assembly workers had complained that appointments in the House have been hinged on tribal and partisan considerations.

One of them who asked not to be named told The Post that there are many workers who really qualify for certain positions but they have never been appointed for the simple reason that they don't come from certain tribes.

Also, many workers hinted that they are due advancements but the administration of the House has continued to look away even after their documents have been fully processed.
They hold that the ills that ail the public service are also eating deep into the fabric of the National Assembly.

Although the Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly, Dr. Samuel Fonkam Azu'u was appointed the Chair of the Elections Cameroon, the Bureau meeting was silent on the appointment of a new Deputy Scribe. From the look of things, Dr. Fonkam, who sat in the meeting taking down notes, would keep the two posts cumulatively for now.

Another source, however, hinted that for such a replacement to be effected, serious consultations would have to be conducted.The appointments of the personnel by the Bureau members to occupy the earmarked positions were planned for January 8.