The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji has urged the ten regional governors to implement strict measures, to put an end to issues of illegal land grabbing, chieftaincy disputes unfolding in their various administrative units.
The MINAT boss, made the call on Monday, December 12,2022, while chairing the two day, second bi-annual regional governors’ conference held at the Yaoundé City Council.
The Minister laid much emphasis on the issue related to the designation of chiefs, which he perceives to be one of the major issues plaguing so parts of the nation.
Urge Administrators to combat illegal sales of land
Paul Atanga Nji was disturbed with the growing phenomenon of the abusive sales of land, with roots cause the non-respect of the law governing the management of lands and properties in the country.
The Minister urges the governors to pay much attention to the illegal ownership and eviction of the poor masses from their community lands. And insisted on seeing the case witnessed a great progression.
Oblige governors to tackle the tussle for chieftaincy
The Minister began by the following articulations;
“The situation calls for a control of the traditional chieftaincy file, as well as the various traditional mechanism for the development of power”.
” Everyone wants to become a chief in Cameroon, including those who having nothing to do with traditional leadership ” The Minister echoed.
Minister Paul Atanga Nji instructed the regional administrators to be more involved, the collaboration of a clear file for traditional rulers in their respective units of administration, in other to fight against the kankawoom of fake chiefs.
The MINAT head has left no one in doubt, that he was referring to the increasing number of fake chiefs and chiefdoms recently uncovered in Fako, in the South West Region.
He called on the governors to ensure the constitution of chieftaincy files for the first class, second- and third-class traditional rulers take into account the individual file of each notable to be voted involved in the selection exercise.
He further insisted that all files designating traditional rulers must be signed by the chief and notables. And must be transmitted to the administrative authority under discharge with a copy send to MINAT in Yaoundé.
He also insisted that each administrative boss, must keep a copy of the documents to avoid unnecessary violent and public disorder resulting from the process of designation of traditional rulers.
Minister tasked Administrators to ensure hitch free end-of- year festivities
The conference was used to evaluate and reflect on the security challenges and other political, economic and social issues plaguing the nation so as to ensure a hitch free end-of-festivity.
The ten regional governors were invited to be on alert in maintaining law and order in the various administrative units. As well as fight against public disorder, watch over the smuggling and infiltration of contraband goods, weapons and ammunitions used for high way robbery and terrorists.
“I will like to acknowledge that the mission warrants concerted efforts, because it is intended to fight organized crime waves, in all its forms.
“In the same line, the consumption of drugs and other narcotics must be combatted with all the least energy, especially within our educational milieu”, He said.
Minister Paul Atanga Nji called for greater sensitization on the role of municipal police, laying more emphasis on their functionality.
He also articulated on the importance of respecting state institutions, the fight against inflation, high crime wave, promotion of good hygiene and sanitation, the execution of developmental projects and on the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations.
Governors assess security state of their region
The second bi-annual conference of governors, also provided the frame work, for the regional administrators to present the security situation of their regions.
West Region governor, Awa Fonka Augustine, talked about the security situation of his region being under artificial, but for artificial hike in prices which he is fighting to curb as the end-of-year festivities draws nearer.
North West Governor, Adolphe Lele l’Afrique on his part, said the security situation of the North West region has greatly improved, with the Internally displaced persons returning to their communities.
Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai of the South West region, on his part articulated on the fast return of life in some major parts of his administrative unit, highly affected by the ongoing socio-political upheavals.
The two days Governors come together, that unfolded under the theme; “Administrative authorities confronted with challenges of maintaining law and order, respecting citizen’s rights, properly implementing developmental projects and curbing inflation”, drew it curtains with the presentation of a generation report by Mr. Christian Effa, Secretary General at the Ministry of Territorial Administration.
By Brian Mboh