Decentralisation in the spotlight

Stakeholders from the South West and North West Regions are in Buea for an in-depth capacity building seminar.

Assessing progress made towards decentralization, promotion of local development, target objectives, transfer of powers are some cardinal points currently under the scanner in an ongoing seminar that kicked-off on May 24, 2016 in Buea. For three days, stakeholders from the North West and South West Regions are busy brainstorming on five main themes.

Follow-up and evaluation of transferred powers and allocated resources; the technical support of councils by the State; local finance governance; partnership and local development; funding of international and council projects by the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) are the topics under discussion with the help of seasoned professionals.

Addressing participants on Tuesday, the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Territorial Administration in charge of Decentralisation, Jules Doret Ndongo appreciated support and assistance from international and national partners notably the German Cooperation, FEICOM, the National Community Driven Development Programme (PNDP) and the Local Government Training Centre (CEFAM) in the enhancement and promotion of local development.

The Minister stressed that while participants will be evaluating progress made in the decentralization process, the Buea seminar also paves way for in-depth discussions on the decentralization carried out in Cameroon since 2010, when the effective transfer of special powers and appropriate resources by the State to councils and City Councils started.

Presentations interspersed with questions and answers, have enriched a seminar studded with a galaxy of decentralization stakeholders from the two Regions. As participants say quits today, they informed CT that the initiative is a laudable stitch in time