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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

PM Yang Exposes Ama Muna’s Administrative Folly



The altercation and identity crisis between Prime Minister, Head of Government Yang Philemon and Minister of Arts and Culture, Ama Tutu Muna over the creation of a new author’s rights structure has reached climax. The long accumulated conflict finally exploded on May 22, 2015 when Prime Ministry signed a communique giving Ama Muna 48 hrs to dissolve the newly created structure, SOCACIM. The decisions also rendered null and void the license issued by Arts and Culture minister, Ama Tutu Muna.  Ama Muna is accused of violating the dispositions of Article 75 of Law No 2000/11 of December 2000 on authors and neigbours’ rights as well as Article 20 of Decree No 2001/956/PM of November 1, 2001. More so, Minister Ama Muna is also said to have disrespected the dispositions on general instructions  as well as Code No 002 of 1st October 2002, on the organization of government work. However, Expressionists Arts and Culture minister is actually on a very hot seat which may likely lead to her dismissal as government minister.
It should be recalled that on April 28, 2015 Ama Tutu Muna took some artists to her Mbengwi constituency where she imposed the creation of SOCACIM. It is even alleged that she used all the means available to hoodwink musicians to adopt her idea. 
Yet, majority of the artists were aghast that the Minister used her secretive powers to hijacked their structure. She allegedly camouflaged her strong headiness with the distribution of some 250 guitars which she had spent hundreds of millions of taxpayers money. Even when the PM stepped in and ordered that she should wait for the report of the Commission, Ama Muna went ahead to announce over the airwaves of the national station that SOCACIM was granted the license to operate. Classified sources hinted that the Prime Ministry queried her rebelliousness reasons why she was given a 48 hours ultimatum to back-paddle or else face the consequences. A school of thought holds that the Ministry of Arts and Culture is feeding fat on musicians.
Classified sources say Ama Muna may appear infront of the Special Criminal Court on copyrights from December 2007 up to December 2014. She will have it hot for not respecting first the Supreme Court ruling on CMC, before a review is done on her running of SOCAM saga. (affair a suivre)


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

MEMO ON THE CAMEROON INTERNATIONAL MINING EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CIMEC 2015



THE MINISTRY OF MINES, INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS ORGANIZING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LONDON BASED COMPANY  AMETRADE LTD, A SPECIALIZED EVENT ORGANIZER, UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, THE SECOND EDITION OF THE CAMEROON INTERNATIONAL MINING EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE (CIMEC), FROM 27 TO 29 MAY 2015, AT THE YAOUNDE CONFERENCE CENTRE. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF CIMEC 2015, MAKING CAMEROON A REGIONAL PLATFORM  FOR TRADE AND TRANSACTIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
IT IS WORTH RECALLING THAT THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS SECOND EDITION OF CIMEC IS ONE OF THE MAJOR RESOLUTIONS THAT SANCTIONED THE FIRST EDITION, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE CENTRE FROM 29 TO 31 MAY 2013.
CIMEC 2013 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, BECAUSE IT SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING TOGETHER, FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN CENTRAL AFRICA, EXPERTS AND PROFESSIONALS OF THE MINING WORLD AND ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES, FROM 20 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 60 EXHIBITORS AND 600 PARTICIPANTS. SOME OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING RESULTS RISING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFORESAID RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: 
·         INCREASE IN THE NATIONAL PRODUCTION OF GOLD A THROUGH THE MASTERY, BY THE AUTHORITIES, OF THE PROCESS OF CHANNELING ARTISANAL EXPLOITATION;
·         BEGINNING OF INDUSTRIAL MINING OF SOME GOLD AND IRON DEPOSITS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
THIS IS WHY CIMEC 2015, EQUALLY PLACED UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC HIS EXCELLENCE PAUL BIYA, INTENDS TO CONSOLIDATE AND IMPROVE THESE INVALUABLE ASSETS, IN TERM OF CALIBER, QUALITY AND VARIETY OF PARTICIPANTS, EXHIBITORS AND EXPERTS. 
THE KEY PLAYERS CONCERNED ARE MINING COMPANIES INVOLVED IN EXPLORATION, MINING AND PROCESSING, ROCKS AND ORES ASSAY LABORATORIES, SURVEY, EQUIPMENT AND LOGISTICS MINING INDUSTRY, LEGAL EXPERTS, FINANCE AND RESEARCH FIRMS, AS WELL AS MINING SCHOOLS.
THEREFORE, FROM 27 TO 29 MAY, THE YAOUNDE CONFERENCE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE CLOSE TO 800 PARTICIPANTS AND 200 OFFICIALS AND OPERATORS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, COMING FROM CEMAC COUNTRIES AND FROM A  SCORE OF OTHER COUNTRIES WITH PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA, IN PARTICULAR FROM NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, ASIA, WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA.
THE MAIN AWAITED RESULTS, INCLUDE AROUSING INTEREST, ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATED STRUCTURES. THE INTEREST HERE IS TO REDUCE CONSIDERABLY CHARGES IN TERMS OF TIME, ENERGY AND MEANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OPERATORS OF THE GEOLOGICAL AND MINING INDUSTRY.  
INDEED, CAMEROON IS ONE OF THE RARE AFRICAN COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RICH, DENSE AND VARIED POTENTIALITIES IN NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ESPECIALLY MINERALS WHICH CLASSIFY IT AMONG THE LARGEST IN AFRICA. WITHOUT BEING EXHAUSTIVE, ONE CAN MENTION ITS SITUATION ALONG THE LARGEST CORRIDOR OF CENTRAL AFRICA IN IRON DEPOSITS, THE SECOND LARGEST BAUXITE RESERVE IN AFRICA, THE LARGEST LATERITIC DEPOSIT IN NICKEL COBALT IN AFRICA, ETC.
AMONG THESE NUMEROUS NATURAL ASSETS, BY WHICH CAMEROON IS REFERRED TO AS AFRICA IN MINIATURE, A REGIONAL CENTRE PAR EXCELLENCE FOR EXCHANGES, TRADES AND TRANSACTIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, WE CAN MENTION: ITS ENERGY POTENTIAL (SECOND HYDRO ELECTRIC POTENTIAL IN CENTRAL AFRICA), COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURES (INTERNATIONAL AIR, MARITIME, RAILWAY AND ROAD TRANSPORT), ITS STRATEGIC POSITION (AT THE HEART OF THE GULF OF GUINEA, EASY ACCESS TO CEMAC AND CEEAC ZONES), ITS POLITICAL STABILITY, SOLIDITY, THE RELIABLE AND ATTRACTIVE NATURE OF ITS INSTITUTIONS (LAW ON PRIVATE INVESTMENT INCENTIVES, MINING, PETROLEUM AND GAS CODES), ITS BILINGUAL NATURE, ETC.
IN THE SHORT TERM, CIMEC AIMS TO:
·         ENCOURAGE MINING INDUSTRIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES (GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY COMPANIES, DRILLING COMPANIES, ASSAY LABORATORIES, EXPERT FIRMS, ETC.) WITH PROVEN EXPERIENCE, TO SETTLE IN CAMEROON IN ORDER TO DEVELOP LOCAL DEPOSITS AND THOSE OF THE CEMAC SUB-REGION.
·         SHOWCASE MINING PROJECTS WHICH WILL SOON GO INTO PRODUCTION. 
·         CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING THE CAMEROONIAN MINING SECTOR IN PARTICULAR, AND THAT OF THE CEMAC ZONE, IN GENERAL, SO THAT IT MAY SUPPORT MORE EFFECTIVELY POLICIES AIMED AT BOOSTING GROWTH, ALLEVIATING POVERTY, REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT AND IMPROVING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE POPULATION.

IN THE MEDIUM TERM, CIMEC INTENDS TO POSITION CAMEROON AS A REGIONAL PLATFORM FOR PROMOTING, TRADING AND MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, SIMILAR TO INDABA IN SOUTH AFRICA OR EVEN PDAC IN TORONTO, CANADA.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
DR. FUH CALISTUS GENTRY, SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES, INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Silver Jubilee of the SDF: A Show of Political Strength in Nkambe, Ndu





 
An estimated 15.000 militants and sympathizers of the Social Democratic Front-SDF, showed up at the Fon Ibrahim Japbu Nfor Grandstand in Nkambe to celebrate the 25 years of their party. The turnout was a clear indication that the SDF will emerge stronger after its 25 years of continuous existence, impressionists say. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebration Mbeh Wilfred Shey, SDF District chairman for Nkambe Electoral District expressed thanks and gratefulness to thousands who turnout for the loyalty. Mbeh Shey Wilfred also said that at 25, the SDF is mature enough to rule Cameroon. He recalled that the day is also in honour of the six who were killed on May 26, 1990 during the official launching in Bamenda. He advised the militants to follow the steps of SDF Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi who is an advocate of peace, and was recently honoured with The Peace and Stability Award in the USA.
 On his part the District Secretary of the SDF Sajo Amidu Yerima said that Ni John Fru Ndi in 1990 proved his worth when he rejected violence for peace. Sajo Amidu used the occasion to thrill the population on the euphoria that saluted Fru Ndi at Africa Focus Awards in the USA.
He also talked about the Private Members’ Bill presented by Hon. Awudu Mbaya for the protection on the protection of water catchments, watersheds and wetlands. But he lamented that a certain female MP for Fako (Anglophone for that matter) masterminded the act to deny Cameroonians water. But according to Amidu Sajo, Hon. Awudu entered records to have created the unexpected given that his Private Members’ Bill is the first ever to have been endorsed by the Chairman’s conference since the creation of the Cameroon National Assembly. He said the SDF is a mature party and doesn’t like to be provoked. In reacting to that provocation, he revealed that last May 20, the CPDM hired students of GTHS and GBHS Nkambe to match-past in party ranks for a pay and that the SDF will never do such a thing.
Mary Awudu, in her capacity as District political educator called on SDF militants to maintain their faith, determination and courage. Drawing inspiration from the Book of God, she narrated the story of Jesus Christ, saying that when Jesus was performing miracles; some people were more interested in his origin than what He was doing. She said that some people even concluded that nothing good can ever come out of Nazareth. But in the final analysis, Jesus proved them wrong. She told the population that while local CPDM local officials still go for politics of hate, President Biya has proven them wrong by sending his Secretary General, Jean Kuete to come and commune with the SDF at this 25 anniversary. “Love your Neighbour as yourself”, she advised militants.
In Ndu, SDF District chairman Ngabah Eric also expressed gratitude to militants and supports of the party for their dedication to the struggle for democracy and good governance in Cameroon. Ngabah Eric also added that the SDF merits an up score to have played the role of a peace advocate for 25 years. “Much has been achieved in 25 years and we have all the reasons to celebrate this great day in the history of our party”. He said a child born on this day should be 25 years old and should be mature enough, thus the SDF is “celebrating maturity”.
Talking to this reporter at the end of the event in Nkambe, Manjong Hilary who travelled all the way from Yaounde to celebrate in Nkambe said he was so overwhelmed by the massive turnout. Manjong Hilary continued that at 25, the SDF has achieved a lot. First of all, as the watchdog of Government actions and secondly much as been achieved in the domain of freedom of express, economic development, social development etc.



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Monday, May 25, 2015

Deuxième édition de la Conférence Internationale et Exposition sur les Mines au Cameroun (CIMEC 2015)

 Communiqué de Presse:




LA CONFERENCE INTERNATIONALE ET EXPOSITION SUR LES MINES  AU CAMEROUN
CIMEC 2015

 DU 27 AU 29 MAI  2015 AU PALAIS DES CONGRES DE YAOUNDE

le ministère des mines, de l’industrie et du développement technologique organise en partenariat avec la société londonienne ame trade ltd, spécialisée en la matière, sous le haut patronage du président de la république,  la deuxième édition de la conférence internationale et exposition sur les mines Cameroun (cimec), du 27 au 29 mai 2015, au palais des congrès de Yaoundé, avec pour objectif principal , faire du Cameroun, une plate forme régionale de négoce et de transaction sur l’industrie minière et ses activités connexes.
il convient de rappeler que la tenue de cette deuxième édition du cimec fait partie des résolutions majeures qui ont sanctionnées la première édition, tenue au palais des congres du 29 au 31 mai 2013.
cimec 2013 a été un grand succès, parce qu’il a réussi a relever le défi de réunir, pour la première fois, en Afrique centrale,  des experts et professionnels du monde minier et de ses activités connexes, en provenance de 20 pays, comprenant 60 exposants et 600 participants. au rang des résultats les plus marquants découlant de la mise en Å“uvre desdites recommandations, on peut citer :
·         le retrait des titres miniers des sociétés les moins performantes (bauxite de fongo tongo, rutile d’akonolinga) ;
·         les lancement de ces titres aux appels d’offres internationaux a manifestation d’intérêt pour ne recruter que les sociétés disposant des capacités techniques et financières avérées ;
·         l’accroissement de la production d’or nationale a travers  la maitrise, par les pouvoirs publics,  du processus d’exploitation artisanale mécanisée, ainsi que de la  de canalisation des produits issus de ces exploitations dans les circuits formels de l’économie, toutes choses qui ont permis de récolter environ 70kg d’or pour le compte de l’état en six mois;
·         le démarrage imminent de l’exploitation industrielle de certains gisements d’or de borguene et du fer de kribi.
c’est pourquoi cimec 2015, place aussi sous le haut patronage du président de la république son excellence Paul biya,  vise a promouvoir le développement local de l’industrie extractive  au Cameroun, et se propose de consolider et d’améliorer ces précieux acquis, en terme d’envergure, de qualité et de variété des participants,  des exposants et des experts.
les principaux acteurs concernes sont les compagnies minières d’exploration, d’exploitation et de transformation, les  laboratoires d’analyses des roches et des minerais, les sociétés de sondage géophysique, d’équipements et de logistiques de l’industrie minière, les cabinets d’avocats, d’expertise en droit, en finances et d’études, ainsi que les structures de formation dans les domaines miniers.
ainsi, du 27 au 29 mai 2015,  il est attendu, au palais des congrès de Yaoundé,  près de 800 participants et 200 officiels et operateurs de l’industrie minière et des activités connexes, en provenance des pays de la cemac et  d’une vingtaine  d’autres pays qui possèdent une expérience avérée en la matière, notamment d’Amérique du nord, d’Europe, d’Asie, d’Afrique de l’ouest et du sud.
parmi les principaux résultats attendus, il s’agit de susciter, d’encourager et de favoriser l’installation de ces structures connexes, dont l’intérêt est de réduire considérablement les charges en termes de temps, d’énergie et des moyens au bénéfice des operateurs du secteur de l’industrie géologique et minière.
en effet, le Cameroun est l’un des rares pays africains qui disposent des potentialités riches, denses et variées en ressources naturelles, et surtout minérales  qui le classent parmi les plus grands d’Afrique. sans être exhaustif, on peut citer sa situation le long du plus grand corridor d’Afrique centrale en gisements de fer , la deuxième réserve d’Afrique en bauxite, le plus grand gisement latéritique d’Afrique en nickel- cobalt, etc.
parmi ces nombreux atouts naturels, qui font du Cameroun, cette Afrique en miniature, un centre régional par excellence d’échanges, de négoces et de transactions sur l’industrie minière et ses activités connexes, figurent :   son potentiel en énergie (deuxième potentiel hydro électrique d’Afrique centrale), en infrastructures de communication (voies aériennes, maritimes, ferroviaires et routières internationales), sa position stratégique (centre du golfe de guinée, accès facile dans les zones cemac et ceeac), sa stabilité politique, la solidité, la fiabilité et l’attractivité de ses institutions (loi d’incitation a l’investissement prive, codes minier, pétrolier et gazier), son bilinguisme etc.
a court terme, CIMEC vise à :
·         encourager les industries minières et des activités connexes (sociétés de sondage et de forage, laboratoires d’analyses, cabinets d’experts etc.) possédant une expérience avérée à s’installer au Cameroun pour développer, les gisements locaux et ceux de la sous-région ;
·         afficher les projets miniers qui vont rentrer bientôt en production ;
·         contribuer ainsi a la promotion et a la  valorisation du secteur minier camerounais en particulier, et celui de la zone CEMAC en général, afin que celui-ci soutiennent plus efficacement les politiques économiques de croissance, de lutte contre la pauvreté, de réduction de chômage et d’amélioration des conditions de vie des populations.
a moyen terme, cimec vise  a faire du Cameroun, une plate forme régionale de rencontres, d’échanges,  de promotion et de négoce avec les acteurs de l’industrie minière et des activités connexes africains et du reste du monde, de même niveau que celui d’indaba en Afrique du sud ou encore, le pdac a Toronto au canada.

Le président du comité d’organisation
dr fuh calistus gentry, secrétaire d’état auprès du ministre des mines, de l’industrie et du développement technologique



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)