We are happy and satisfied
- TchoumiColince, president transporters
Syndicate
My sentiment is that of joy and
satisfaction. Since 2008 that the president said he would answer to our
demands, it is today in 2015 that he has finally pronounced a reduction in fuel
prices. It is often said: “better late than never.” I think we are happy and
satisfied. A proverb in Bamileke tradition says: “when you ask for 1000frs from
somebody and he gives you just 100frs, first take the 100frs before you ask for
more.” That is why on behalf of all transporters and road users I say thank you
to the head of state. He has proven that our demands of last month were
objective and real. But there is still another problem. During our negotiations
with government we asked for two things: a ban on clandestine transport and a
reduction in fuel prices. So, we hope that something would be done about this
other concern. But by and large we hail the head of state for this first step
in the right direction.
He sounded positive& hopeful
-Achingale Prosper, senior civil servant
The address had a very positive tone. For
the very first time in many years we saw the president actually sounding very
positive and very hopeful about the economy, about security issues and about
the resilience which Cameroonians have shown in the face of all adversities. He
actually congratulated all Cameroonians. I think that was quite good of the
head of state. Also, we salute the decisions which he took, the drop in fuel
prices for example. In fact we have been waiting for this for a very long time.
Other countries have since dropped their pump prices of fuel as soon as oil
prices dropped in the world market; but we did not understand why Cameroon was
dragging her feet in this direction. We however, hope that the minister of
commerce would be quick to also reduce taxi fares just like he rapidly raised
them when oil prices went up in the world market. We are also glad that for the
first time he talked about increasing family allowances. In fact the old family
allowances did not represent anything. Imagine
1.800 frs for a young Cameroonian child; what did that represent? Was it taxi
fare? Was it money for breakfast or medical expenses? In fact the former family
allowance did not represent anything economically or socially or even in teams
of social security. So, we hope the increase will be substantial enough. So to
a certain extent I would say that the President’s message met our expectations.
However,
the president gave some statistics on employment which I consider unreal. He
did not say for example how many youths actually got decent, long lasting jobs
in 2015. You realize that in Cameroon most youths just occupy themselves
without being really employed.
We
also expected him to announce an appreciable increase in salaries of civil
servants. But this did not happen. He virtually dribbled us. Since the drastic
salary cuts in 1993 we have not had any meaningful salary review that can
enable us to meet the challenges of the times. So we were a bit disappointed
that nothing was said in this direction.
Then
the president did not also mention corruption. Apparently Cameroon is sinking
back in its sparrow hawk drive and this despite our TI rating. We are not happy
about this image. Gov’t should look for new ways and means of tackling
corruption since operation sparrow hawk has not produced the magic solution.
In
addition, we are hoping that basic social infrastructure that we see in other
developing countries will be provided here in 2016. We need regular water and
electricity supply. If hydro-dams have failed us we should resort to solar
energy and bore holes which are cheaper.
A vague and hollow address
–
Ako Philip, Y’de VI SDF chair
To me the President said nothing. Nothing
has changed and nothing will change. But one thing he said that actually touched
me was the fight against Boko Haram. You recall that when he declared war on
Boko Haram he did it without consulting Cameroonians. Today he has come to
terms to acknowledge the role of Cameroonians in the struggle. He has realized
that the war is not a matter for him alone but a fight for all Cameroonians. So
this time he did not hit his hand on his chest like he has always done – saying
I, I, I. The president also announced reduction in fuel prices and increase in
family allowance. I think these are just cosmetic half-measures. If you
increase fuel prices by 80frs and then reduce it by 20frs what does that
represent? Will that make any great difference? We expected him to drop fuel
prices by at least 50frs or more. To me he has only made things better for
those civil servants who have fuel coupons (petrol bonds). If he wants to see
how insignificant this decrease is he should abolish fuel bonds and ask every
body to buy from the station with cash.
So,
to me the president did not say anything concrete, unlike the president of
Senegal, MackiSall for example, who listed concrete things that he did in 2015
– He gave the number of kilometres of tarred roads and bridges built; the
number of schools constructed, jobs created and so on. But our president sounded
so vague and hollow. Even something like corruption which he said he would
personally supervise its fight, he did not say anything about it.
President Biya listens to syndicates
- Deffo Sokeng Collins, president
transporters’ syndicate
For once the president has demonstrated
that he is concerned about the plight of citizens. When we opted for a strike
in the transporters’ sector sometime last month, gov’t did not immediately
reduce fuel prices. However, some decisions were taken to appease transporters.
But coming out of that strike action we had the confidence that we had
demonstrated to the government that truly something needed be done. And the
government assured us that the president has heard and understood our concerns
and that he would react before long. However when we explained this to the
Cameroonian people they interpreted it to mean we had been bought over by the
government. But we remained confident that something will be done. That is why
today we are happy that the Head of State has demonstrated that he listens
attentively to our cry. This price drop, even though some people may consider
as insignificant, is a reduction after all. In fact, it is a victory for trade
unionists. But we are at once urging the president to do more especially in
terms of structural solutions to the petroleum sector in Cameroon. Sonara for
example should start refining Cameroonian crude, while SNH should explore the
sub-soil even more to discover more oil wells.
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