National Assembly: A population census to be conducted in 2015

Ministers have confirmed the fourth general census of the population of Cameroon will be taking place next year.

It was during a plenary session at the Chamber of Ngoa-Ekélé, devoted to questions from members of Government that the Minister for Planning announced the fourth census of Cameroon.

Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, The Minister of Economy, Planning and land (Minepat), who announced the decision was responding to questions put forward by Joseph Mbah Ndam, MP Social Democratic Front (SDF).

Already 905 million CFA francs have been mobilized to finance the preparatory phase of this operation.

"At the institutional level, as part of launch operations gradually put in place, we are working to carry out this operation date,” reassured Mr Djoumessi. In regards to the delays that marred the general census of the population in 2005, Minepat explains that data collection in the field and further investigations should have been made, although he defends that this step would have taken a longer than expected.

"Cameroon has nevertheless met international standards and the results of the 2005 census are now the repository on which international institutions rely to lead the development policies in our country," says Minepat.

According to them, the modern working tools have already been acquired to facilitate the work of investigators in the field during the fourth general census of the population.

The exchange between parliamentarians and ministers last Friday gave the opportunity for government to revisit the debate as the application of Article 66 and the tinted windows of automobiles.

Prime Minister Philemon Yang was arrested by Gaston Komba Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian People (CPDM), under Article 66. The effective implementation of this provision of the constitution would easily seize the property of embezzlers sentenced to monetary penalties.

But Philemon Yang soon found a legal ploy to evade this concern. Yet, so far, it is very difficult to identify the good in people convicted of embezzlement. Especially when the verdict ordered the confiscation of property.

But responding to this concern that lies in the heart of the overwhelming majority of Cameroonians, the Prime Minister merely noted that the seizure of property is not governed by the constitution, but rather by Articles 92, 95 and 404 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The head of government has also been questioned by the same member on the insignificance of the amounts reimbursed by the victims of Operation Sparrowhawk. Gaston Komba also made a foray into the puzzle concerning releases of cascades of those involved in the embezzlement of public funds in recent months.

For him, concern has gripped public opinion and fears of political manoeuvres in this operation. Again, the prime minister dodged the question, referring to the people's elected figures provided by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

It was clearly stated at a session held on March 25 that $2.4 billion CFA francs had already been recovered by the state.

Mr Yang said: "This amount equals the corpus deficit refunded. This should not be confused with financial penalties which occur at the end of the trial. For final sentences, Cameroon reserves the right to use all means to cover the amounts claimed from those who are convicted."

The Prime Minister stressed that Cameroon is a rule of law. He said: "If anyone believes that the law has not been said according to the rules of art, he may appeal. Only this call can be introduced by the parties concerned."

This was said before indicating that judicial decisions should not be subject to a referendum. He added: "The judge decides on the basis of his conscience and the right.”