Emmanuel Kendemeh
14 March 2008
Cameroon's Members of Parliament will today in Yaounde finalise and adopt a five-year plan of action on their contribution to the sustainable management of the country's forest resources in particular and those of the Congo Basin in general.
The Cameroon National Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of the Central African Forest and Humid Ecosystems (REPAS/Cameroon) within the framework of the workshop that ends today will also adopt the approach for the creation of the National Forum bringing together all actors in the sustainable management of forest resources.
The workshop will enable the MPs evaluate the implementation of the Yaounde Declaration that sanctioned the October 2006 first Parliamentarians International Conference on forest use. Besides seeking ways of making REPAS/Cameroon structures operational, adapting its programme to that of the entire Central African Sub-region, MPs will also prepare Cameroon's contributions to the sub-regional REPAS workshop coming up on 01 and 02 April in Yaounde.
Hon. Baoro Theophile, representative of the Speaker of the National Assembly, presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop. He urged MPs to give privilege to the interests of the communities they represent. According Hon. Baoro, through permanent interactive communication, MPs should ensure that the electorate participate in debates related the management of natural resources.
The representative of the Cameroon House Speaker was happy that Parliament has two structures working in forest and environmental management. REPAS/Cameroon and the Caucus of Parliamentarians for Environmental Protection. Hon. Baoro recommended that the two structures harmonise their programmes and work in synergy for MPs to effectively contribute in the sustainable management of the forest and the environment. Hon. Rose Abunaw Makia, Coordinator of the Caucus told journalists that they were to use the workshop to sign a memorandum of understanding with REPAS/Cameroon.
The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Forest and Wildlife, who doubles as the outgoing President of REPAS/Cameroon, Joseph Roland Matta represented government at the ceremony. He said government requires the effective involvement of MPs in ensuring the use of forest royalties for the interest of the beneficiary population. Government also wants MPs to contribute in promoting community forestry, fighting illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources and their participation in negotiating agreements.
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