Tche Irene Morikang
11 March 2008
Corruption is a real nuisance in Cameroon. Abuse of office by public officials and politicians for private gain is preponderant.
Bribery and fraud have become a way of life; a canker worm that has spared no sector. Although the manifestations vary, the consequences are the same. Devastating. Personal interests triumph to the detriment of the entire population. Development is compromised. Easy therefore to understand why President Paul Biya, in virtually all his speeches, condemns the practice and reaffirms the option he has taken to clamp down on those eating fat from corruption.
Last Friday again, during the Council of Ministers meeting at State House, President Paul Biya expressed his determination to pursue the clean-up work started. For the umpteenth time, he told members of government to strengthen the fight against corruption and other ills such as inertia, laxity and pursuit of personal interest that have eaten deep into the fabrics of our nation. And in very strong words, he urged the Prime Minister, Head of Government, to scrupulously carry out, with celerity and efficacy, his instructions. "I will not tolerate any failure in their execution". From all indications, therefore, the fight against corruption will enter a higher gear.
The reason for the President's outburst this time is the heartless amassing of wealth through corruption by a few individuals to the chagrin of the majority of Cameroonians left to toil for the crumps. Needless to say the living condition of most Cameroonians has dwindled over the years to a pitiable state, while a handful of people increase their fleet of cars, erect mansions and inflate their bank accounts. Such dichotomy between the haves and have-nots is not only revolting, it can give rise to social unrest.
The Head of State, conscious of this, last Friday took a series of measures aimed at improving the living condition of Cameroonians. These include increasing Public Service salaries with effect from April 2008. Tax exemption on imported basic commodities such as rice, fish, flour and cooking oil. Suspension of customs duties on imported wheat and reduction of taxes on clinker used by CIMENCAM to manufacture cement.
This bold move will entail an increase in government spending and a reduction in its revenue. The Minister of Finance already talks of something like an additional FCFA eight billion to be spent on salaries each month. What will be lost on custom duties and taxes is also enormous. Wherefore the need for government to tighten expenditure and reinforce revenue collection.
And this is where the fight against corruption comes in. In effect, the revenue generating sectors in the country (taxation and customs) have been indexed as the hardest hit by corruption. Our tax and custom officers, as well as those who manage public funds have to sit up if the present measures to better the purchasing power of Cameroonians have to be sustainable. Needless to say the State will be plunged into difficulties if at the port; custom officers continue to eat fat from money that was supposed to enter government coffers. If our tax collectors continue to under tax businesses in order to share the dividends with unscrupulous businesspersons. If in the domain of public contracts, bills are inflated and projects abandoned.
It is therefore time for all the government structures, created to serve as watchdogs in the fight against corruption, to get down to work. All eyes are turned towards the National Anti Corruption Commission, CONAC, the Supreme State Control, the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court, the National Good Governance Committee and the profuse anti corruption units that mushroom in government structures. In the same light, repression should continue. The recent arrests, trials and judgement of some "untouchables" - members of government and heads of public enterprises, is an indication that no one is above the law. Reacting promptly to cases of corruption and without fear or favour can also produce great results. Such sanctions should be well publicised. In this way, people will definitely think twice before offering or receiving "gombo", "beer", "taxi", "fuel", "tchoko", "motivation"...you name the rest. In the absence of this, a handful of embezzlers will continue to take the nation hostage.
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