By Christopher Jator Njechu
Members of the Interministerial Committee on Local Services, began working towards a calendar for the application of the text on local governance and power sharing.
Efforts towards setting up local governments in the country, within the goal of bringing administration nearer to the people and reduce poverty were under scrutiny.Meeting over the weekend at the Yaounde Council Hall, the committee, composed of senior government officials, evaluated the human and material means necessary for the transfer of competence, as well as proposed modalities for State financing.
It is expected that propositions and questions related to decentralisation are submitted to the National Decentralisation Board, NDB, for deliberations. The deliberations of the board are also expected to set a calendar for the effective kick-off of decentralisation, and speed up the functioning of local services.
Putting decentralisation into function, as specified by the 1996 Constitution, has come a long way. From presidential prescriptions to its imminent application, a number of training and sensitisation of relevant government officials and local authorities have been carried out.
Studies were carried out in October 2006 to ensure equal sharing of power and responsibility by political and administrative actors. On the same score, MINTAD studied how local taxation can finance local administration and also made an evaluation of the needs of personnel of local administrative units.
Financed by the World Bank, results of the studies helped in the finalisation of the projects aimed to ameliorate local taxation, identify tax resources, encourage transparent management of shared resources, ease mobilisation of indigenous income and balance administration between the state and local entities.
The committee resolved to apply the findings on the functioning of the Yaounde and Douala Urban Councils by MINTAD in new councils created in accordance with presidential decree of January 17, 2008. The Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM, with the assistance of French Development Agency, in 2004/2005, inspected councils with the aim of improving on the functioning of councils and their institutions.
While addressing members of the interministerial committee, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, MINTAD, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, said Cameroon has recorded significant efforts that will soon culminate in the operation of local governments. Local governance, he said, underpins reinforcing the capacities of local communities.
According to him, it will enhance the application of the country's legal procedures; contribute in transparency and good governance in the management of local public affairs. He underscored the government's determination to set up a centre to train civil status officers, local administrators in public administration.
Created by a presidential decision on January 11, 2008, and placed under MINTAD, the interministerial committee, amongst others, is tasked with elaborating programmes for the transfer of competence and resources and prepare other decentralisation projects.
Comments