CPDM MP cries for Cameroon’s parliament

Hon Peter William Mandio

According to Hon Peter William Mandio, the Cameroon National Assembly is characterised by amateurism, improvisation and deception. He spoke to the press at the end of the 2nd ordinary session of parliament for 2014.

The June session of parliament has just ended. What balance-sheet can you make of it?
   
It was a very charged session with many important issues on its agenda. We started with the document on the reciprocal protection of investments between Cameroon and Morocco. You know Morocco is a friendly nation that excels in the banking, insurance, water distribution and cement production sectors. Then there was also the historic visit of Guillaume Soro, the president of the Ivorian parliament. But the high points of this session were the examining of the bills relating to the revision of the internal rules and regulations of the National Assembly and that on the ratification of the trade partnership EPA with the EU.

   
So what stroke you the most during the session?
   
It is the amateurism, deception and improvisation that characterised activities at the assembly. Then there was a permanent will and intention by the government to infantilise parliamentarians. Bills were deposited in parliament at the last minute and MPs were expected to examine them, comprehend and adopt them within a matter of several hours. The government gives the impression that parliament doe not need to be consulted and that the opinion of MPs does not count. Our parliament is just a smokescreen, everything is decided before hand. What we have here is a stage-managed parliament, a cinema. This only breeds intellectual dishonesty, anaesthetize intelligence and back pedals democracy. In fact it is quite irritating to the representatives of the people.

In spite of the weaknesses pointed out by Cameroonians on the ratification of the ACP-EU partnership accord, EPA, parliamentarians still went ahead to authorize the head of state to ratify the accord. Why?

I should say I have assisted helplessly and unfortunately in two economic conspiracies against Cameroon and Africa: The structural adjustment plans and the EPA. The debates in small committees on the ratification of the EPA were quite intense and inflammatory. But as CPDM MPs we were helpless because of the so called party discipline. We had to vote the bill as presented. It is regrettable for our country and especially our industries and the general economic fabric which is still in its infancy but which now has to compete with those in Europe.
   
What about the proposals on the internal rules of the National Assembly?

Here again it was simply revolting. I hate to think of it. And I will only talk about it at the risk of sounding revolting to my colleagues of the CPDM parliamentary group. But all you must know is that no proposals from the MPs themselves was ever entertained or endorsed. The internal rules are simply provocative, they were poorly conceived. Its drafters are enemies of democracy; they hate parliament and parliamentarians. In fact, they are decieving the head of state.
   
What in your opinion could be changed in the amended internal rules that were adopted by parliament?
   
So many things: the status of MPs, their treatment, the control of government action, the convening of sessions, procedures during sessions etc. etc. Just one example: Did you know that there are commissions at the National Assembly that do not meet even once throughout an entire mandate of five years? This is simply witchcraft.
   
The sports minister was in parliament to explain the failed Brazil World Cup expedition among other issues. What was your take on what he explained?
   
In fact, I felt pity for Minister Adoum Garoua. I discovered a minister who was lost and who lacked a mastery of his cahiers des charges. He lacked ideas and solutions to the problems inherent in his portfolio. He was simply confused and overwhelmed. He failed to convince even on the issue of Jean Paul Akono’s salary arrears. In fact, i would be surprised if the president should renew his confidence and trust in Adoum Garoua. He is simply a flop.
   
What about Robert Nkili on the Chinese plains (MA60) saga?
   
You will recall that my colleague Joshua Osih and my self were the first to denounce this financial scandal during the March session. It is inacceptable that civil servants and close collaborators of the head of state should defraud the state of over 20 billion FCFA by offering us flying coffins in the name of planes. We have urged the authorities to open a parliamentary investigation into the matter. I will personally carry out a sustained politico-media campaign against the use of these planes. As for Robert Nkili, his outing in parliament only proved that there is a serious lack of solidarity and coordination in the government. He failed to expose the identity of the minister who plays the interface between Cameroon and AVIC International, especially in the transactions with EXIM Bank. All these people are mercenaries; they don’t like Cameroon. The Head of start should act and promptly too.