The meeting examined among other things, an update on the agro-pastoral show in Ebolowa, response to the Cholera epidemic in the Far North Region of Cameroon, enhancing the competitiveness of the Cameroonian economy and a report on the execution of instructions of a cabinet meeting of 2009 to make road weighing stations automatic. The following press release signed by the Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s office that sanctioned the meeting.
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Mr Philemon YANG, today 29 July 2010, chaired a Cabinet Meeting in the main building of the Prime Minister’s Office. Apart from his close aides, the meeting was attended by Vice-Prime Ministers, the Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Ministers, Ministers-Delegate as well as Secretaries of State.
Four items featured on the agenda, namely:
1. A statement by the Vice-Prime Minister in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development on “the state of preparations for the Ebolowa Agro-Pastoral Show”;
2. A statement by the Minister for the Economy, Planning and Regional Development on “Government’s strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the Cameroonian economy”;
3. A report by the Minister for Public Health on “Government’s response to the cholera epidemic in the North and Far-North regions”;
4. A report by the Secretary of State for Public Works on “the implementation of the instruction of the Cabinet Meeting of 25 June 2009, relating to the automation of road weighing operations”.
In his statement, the Vice-Prime Minister in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development indicated that preparations for the Ebolowa Agro-pastoral Show comprised three components for which work is progressing satisfactorily.
The results achieved by the administrative and institutional component include the re-organization of the National Agro-Pastoral Show Committee, the opening of a special account and appointment of its manager as well as the implementation of measures to facilitate public procurements.
On the administrative and institutional fronts, the National Agro-Pastoral Show Committee has been reorganized, a special account opened, its manager appointed and measures taken to facilitate public procurement.
As concerns infrastructure, a number of Government departments and the Ebolowa City Council have embarked on road works, the creation of fish ponds, the strengthening of the technical support unit of hospitals, the increase of water and electricity supply, urban sanitation and the embellishment of the town. Regarding especially the construction of a 3-star hotel, the start of works is imminent.
Lastly, regarding the Agro-pastoral fair component, the first earthworks on the site have been completed. Furthermore, equipment necessary for the construction of the Fair Village have been ordered and the pre-selection of exhibitors, who have received inputs, is complete.
After noting the progress made in preparations, the Prime Minister enjoined all the Members of Government concerned by the organization of the Show to step up their efforts and report in real time on possible difficulties encountered. He instructed the Vice-Prime Minister in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development to submit to him an integrated timetable of ongoing preparations accompanied by the completion date of each aspect.
Treating the second item on the agenda, the Minister in charge of the economy indicated that the competitiveness of the Cameroonian economy was one of the major challenges of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper. The efforts made by the public authorities to improve the business and corporate climate, develop growth-bearing value chains and secure inroads into new regional markets hold bright short- and medium-term prospects for improved performances in international trade.
After the ensuing discussions, the Head of Government instructed the Minister in charge of the economy to prepare a plan to cut factor costs in the production sector and finalize the Competitiveness Enhancement Support Programme for Cameroonian Businesses.
The Cabinet Meeting continued with the Public Health Minister’s report on the management of the cholera epidemic observed in the northern part of the country. He revealed that on 23 July 2010, the Far North Region registered 1,291 cases of illness and 92 deaths, 56 of which occurred outside hospital centres, representing a lethality rate of 7.1% against 17% in 2009. The six cases reported in the North Region have not resulted in death.
The Minister for Public Health indicated that Government’s response, backed by development partners, was immediate and multi-faceted. It included the actuation of cholera control committees; free detection and care of patients; creation of rehydration posts; disinfection of homes and treatment of water points.
After expressing satisfaction with efforts made to contain the scourge, the Prime Minister prescribed tighter epidemiological surveillance and health security at the borders and the revitalization of the cholera control committees instituted by Decree of 20 November 1982, especially in zones with high epidemiological potential. Concurrently, he asked the Minister in charge of water resources to prioritize zones at risk of water-borne diseases in the drinking water supply and bore-holes construction programme.
The proceedings continued with the report of the Secretary of State for Transport on the implementation of instructions of the Cabinet Meeting of 25 June 2009 relating to the automation of road weighing operations – a project that is being implemented adequately. The modernization of this tool for the protection of our road heritage will be reflected in the installation of more robust equipment, the development and extension of technical facilities and the networking of weighing stations.
At the end of this report, the Head of Government asked the Minister for Public Works to (i) speed up the completion of this operation, (ii) continue educating road users on good civic behavior, (iii) intensify the fight against corruption in weighing stations, and (iii) study the harmonization of the laws of the sub-region governing the prosecution of overloading of vehicles.
The Cabinet Meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. after the examination of sundry issues linked to Government work. /-
Yaounde, July 29, 2010
Jules Doret NDONGO,
Secretary-General of
the Prime Minister’s Office
