National Assembly: How a Foolish Majority Denied Cameroonians Water

Fai Cassian Ndi

The 2015 World Water Day will be celebrated on April 21 amidst water scarcity in Cameroon.  The situation in cities like Yaounde, Bamenda, Maroua and Douala is very pathetic given the growing population. In Bamenda for example, water is being ration by the Army Rescue Unit.

Indicators are rife at that access to potable water has reached crisis level. In some localities, the population goes for weeks and even months without potable water. If water as they say is life, Cameroon may perhaps eventually be lifeless. This is so due to the scarcity of water. Since November 2013, access to potable water has remained a major problem. This wobbly situation is having diversified interpretations. Environmentalists are of the opinion that the scarcity of water has been orchestrated by the changing climate while some development experts on the other hand say it is due to human activities around water catchments. Yet traditionalists on their part are convinced that the gods are angry. It is common to see a traditional ruler pouring libation at a stream calling on the gods to bring back water. The situation is such that taps regularly run dry; some small springs have dried off while others have lost their sizes. Water has been tagged as a rare commodity given that to access to potable water is as complicated as a journey to Mars. Access to water is a major predicament and gradually it has reached a crisis level.

To cut the story short, indicators are rife that more than 92% of the water catchments are drying off due to human activities. Some streams have even dried off completely. It is common to see children digging around water catchments to find water.  Uncertainty looms large as it is feared that this could lead to an outbreak of cholera or increasing water borne diseases. Of late, it has been observed that the number of typhoid cases in major cities in the country have increased geometrically. The outbreak of cholera in the North part of Cameroon was even linked to the scary water situation. In rural areas, families and cattle scramble for water in the same stream while farmers on the other hand have been complaining that weather patterns have changed and it is resulting to poor crop yields. Yet the same farmers hardly keep to the instructions of avoiding “slatch and burnt” commonly known as “ankara” in their farms. Cattle grazers on the other hand constantly set the small patches of forest and bushes around watersheds, catchments and wetlands on fire to get fresh grass for their cattle.

How Heartless CPDM MPs Denied Cameroonians Water

Hon. Awudu Mbaya, Questor at the National Assembly and Executive President of Pan African Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change has broken records at the National Assembly of Cameroon. Of late, he entered into record as the first ever Member of Parliament whose PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL was rated admissible by the Chairman’s conference. But since in Cameroon, MPs care little about those who elect them, the foolish majority of the CPDM decided to set the bill aside.

Hon. Lifaka, one of the Vice Presidents and CPDM argued that Hon. Awudu did not consult other political parties and that they (Parliamentarians) will have to wait for the Paris Conference on Climate Change to see whether the MPs will add or subtract some sections of the bill. This decision by the foolish majority in Cameroon Parliament has sparked widespread criticisms from the media and civil society. Here below is the Proposed Bill by Hon. Awudu Mbaya to protect water catchments, watersheds and wetlands in Cameroon.

  

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL No 068... /PJL/AN

To lay down Rules Governing the Protection and Preservation of Water Catchment Areas, Watersheds and Wetlands in Cameroon

Presented by

Hon. AWUDU MBAYA Cyprian

And

Members of the SDF Parliamentary Group

                         EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Private Members’ Bill No. 068.../PJL/AN to lay down Rules Governing the Protection and Preservation of Water Catchment Areas, Watersheds, and Wetlands in Cameroon.

Water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands are an important source of life and are undeniably endowed with natural resources. They contribute to the health and the general wellbeing of Cameroonians throughout the national territory.

In fact, Cameroon's economy partially relies on biodiversity for improved productivity. Such is true for electrical energy, agriculture, industry, manufacturing products (textiles, cosmetics), and the transportation of people and goods by sea. Considering the ongoing population growth in the world in general and Cameroon in particular and the obsolescence of current legislation, the protection and preservation of the earth’s surface is of paramount importance.

The objective of this Private Members’ bill is threefold:

-       to enhance the protection and preservation of water catchment areas, watersheds, and wetlands;

-       to reaffirm the importance of the said natural resources;

-       to encourage individuals, communities, businesses, NGOs, other organizations and countries to become more involved in such activities and to preserve the said areas.

In addition, pollution and the destruction of such natural resources that are vital to human and animal life have a significant impact on climate change. In this respect, a specific and strict regulation must be implemented by all stakeholders.

This Private Members’ bill which has five chapters of 14 sections, seeks to establish a regime of water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands through the general provisions (Sections 1-2); destructive and harmful activities to such areas (Sections 3-5); the supervisory authority (Sections 6-7); management and exploitation (Sections 8-9, obligations and penalties (Sections 10 - 13) and final provisions (Section 14).          
            The adoption of this bill by the Nation’s Representatives shall give Cameroonians access to water on a permanent basis and pave the way for a sustainable progress in their development endeavour.

Such is the purport of this Private Members’ Bill tabled before Parliament for consideration.

CHAPTER 1

           Regime of wetlands

SECTION 1:- (1) The purport of this law is to lay down rules governing the protection, preservation and management of water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands in Cameroon.

                       (2) This law shall apply in all water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands in Cameroon.

                           (3) Such areas and wetlands shall be part of the national heritage.

SECTION 2:- The following definitions shall apply within the context of this law and its enabling instruments:

-       Catchment area:  area where water is collected

-       Wetlands: area soaked by water

-       Swamp: uncultivated wetland where marsh extends to

-       Marsh: nape of standing water covering land partially invaded by vegetation

-       Pond: less extensive body of water not as deep as a lake

-       Backwater: the dead arm of a       river

-       Salt marsh: pool dug near the coast to extract salt from seawater by evaporation (saliva)

-       Basin: territory watered by a river and its tributaries

                                        CHAPTER II

DESTRUCTIVE OR HARMFUL ACTIVITIES TO SUCH AREAS

SECTION 3:- Within the framework of this Law, the following shall be considered destructive or harmful activities:

-        illegal or illicit exploitation of areas referred to in this Private Members’ bill;

-       abusive and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, fishes and animals found in the said areas;

-       spoliation;

-       dumping of wastes and toxic products.

SECTION 4:- Notwithstanding the cases referred to under Section 3 above, any other activity prejudicial to wetlands and watersheds shall be prohibited.

ARTICLE 5:- The use of heavy industrial equipment that can cause damage to property and the environment in areas governed by this law shall also be prohibited.

                                      CHAPTER III

                       THE SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY

 SECTION 6:- (1) The Minister of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development shall determine the objectives of the State relating to the protection and preservation of areas and wetlands governed by this Law.

                         (2) He may also determine the said objectives together with other ministries whose assistance is deemed necessary.  

SECTION 7:- Catchment areas and watersheds, contours, boundaries and geographical areas of the wetlands shall be set and approved by the authority referred to under Section 6 (1) above.

                                            CHAPTER IV

                  MANAGEMENT AND EXPLOITATION

SECTION 8:- (1) The management of water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands throughout the national territory shall be the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development.

                            (2) The powers defined under sub Section 1 above may be delegated within the framework of decentralization.

                             (3) The modalities for the delegation of powers referred to under sub Section 2 above shall be defined by regulation.

SECTION 9:- (1) The exploitation of catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands shall devolve on public and private corporations on the one hand and economic operators who find it beneficial on the other hand.

                          (2) Notwithstanding the regime and nature of exploitation, the latter shall be subject to the payment of an annual fee of 2.5% to 5% in accordance with the turnover declared.

                                    CHAPTER V

                   OBLIGATIONS AND PENALTIES

SECTION 10:- (1) Within the framework of this law, operators in catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands must respect substantive obligations.         

                            (2)  The obligations referred to in sub Section 1 above shall be respected through the following public utility activities:

a) planting of trees;

b) irrigating wet surfaces;

c) draining marshy areas,

d) protecting and preserving rare species found in such areas;

e) respecting the provisions of Sections 3, 4 and 5 herein above.

SECTION 11:- Offences committed by managers and operators in catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands shall be liable to penalties whose amount shall be fixed by regulation.

SECTION 12:- Notwithstanding the penalties referred to under Section 11 above, criminal charges may be brought against the offenders.

SECTION 13:- (1) The amounts fixed as penalties for offences likely to cause prejudice to the State, beneficiaries, managers and operators of water catchment areas, watersheds and wetlands shall depend on their degree of seriousness.

                            (2) The amounts referred to under sub Section 1 above shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3, 4 and 5 of this Law as follows:

           a) 25 000 (twenty five thousand) francs CFA per day for minor offences with effect from the day the offence was reported;

           b) 50.000 (fifty thousand francs) CFA per day for any misdemeanour with effect from the day such misdemeanour was reported;

           c) 500 000 (five hundred thousand francs) CFA per day with effect from the day all felonies resulting from collusion are reported.

                                  CHAPTER VI

                          FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 14:- This law shall be registered, published according to the procedure of urgency and inserted in the Official Gazette in English and French.

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

Here is the First Female Governor to be Voted in Nigeria

 Governess Aisha AlHassan is the Governor elect of Taraba State. She enters into records as the first ever Female Governor to be voted into office in Nigeria. The most interesting is that Aisha hails from the Northern region of Nigeria. Breed and grown up in a typical Moslem's tradition and culture where allegedly women are not allowed to excel, Ashia's win at the 2015 Governorship has proven to the world that change has finally come to Nigeria and everyone is equal.  Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan was elected Senator for the Taraba North constituency of Taraba State in the April 2011 Federal elections where he ran on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform but later defected to APC.

Ashia Alhassan

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

Ambode Of APC Wins Governorship Race in Lagos

Source: SaharaReporters

Ambode casting his vote

With over 90% of votes collated across Lagos state Saharareporters can conclusively state that Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won majority of votes cast during Saturday's gubernatorial election in Lagos state. With over 90% of the votes counted, APC is leading with 724.114 as against 560.453 for PDP. Ambode is heading towards beating Jimi Agbaje to become the next Governor. 

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

Governorship Elections in Naija: Preliminary Report On Violence And Poll Management, Center For Democracy And Development

However, many states have recorded worrying levels of election-related violence with considerable deterioration in Lagos and Rivers states, key battlegrounds. CDD notes with serious concern, the high incidence of human rights violations reported across the country including loss of lives, arson and destruction of property, deliberate targeting of electoral officials, intimidation of voters etc.

11 April 2015

For Immediate Release

15h00

CDD’s Analysis Centre

Preliminary Report on Accreditation of Voters for the 2015 Governorship and State Assembly Elections

Preamble

Today, Nigerians return to the polls to elect governors and state legislators in 29 and 36 states of the federation respectively. Over 10 political parties are participating in today’s exercise. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) deployed observers and reporters in 21 states namely, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Plateau, Ondo, Oyo, Taraba, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Delta, Rivers and Sokoto states. Our coverage of the exercise is aimed at assessing the quality of the electoral process and informing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Citizens’ Reporting Centre as well as the general public of cases of irregularity and logistical/technical problems. Election observation and analysis will also enhance the transparency and credibility of the process and discourage electoral malfeasance.

Arrival of INEC Officials, Materials and Accreditation

In terms of the general administration of the election, INEC recorded substantial improvement, especially in terms of timely arrival of electoral officials and materials, as well as in the functionality of the card readers. Accreditation of voters was also generally orderly and peaceful, devoid of hitches associated with the presidential and National Assembly elections. The presence of security officials, party agents and independent observers was noted at the start of the process in most polling stations. However, their presence was not sufficient to deter interruption in some polling units. Despite these improvements, CDD observed the late arrival of electoral officials and materials in some polling stations in Rivers, Delta, Abia and Imo States.

In contravention of stipulated INEC guidelines, there were reports of polling stations where accreditation and voting took place simultaneously. Such cases were reported in Plateau State (Gwon 040-NARAGUTA 'B'-JOS North), Kaduna State (PU 026 Hanwa Makera Sabon Gari LGA) and Imo State (PU 002 Umuma Isiaku ward, Ideato South).

Election-Related Violence

Although accreditation went on smoothly without incident in most polling units across the country, significant incidences of shootings, protests, arson and fatalities were recorded in most geopolitical zones.  For example, election was suspended in Essan PU 004 in Dokota Ward, Gbako LGA, Niger State due to unrest. In Eku community, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, at least two persons were killed after violence erupted. Furthermore, in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State, thugs reportedly intercepted the transportation of sensitive materials in a polling unit in Oso Ward 2. In addition, the Ogudu, Odi-Olowo (Mushin) and Osoroko (Ibeju Lekki) areas of Lagos State witnessed minor skirmishes between supporters of the two major political parties, namely the PDP and APC, with ballot boxes reportedly thrown into the lagoon in Osoroko. Gunmen were also reported to have taken over the Town Hall Polling Zone in Ilase-Ijesa, Obokun LGA of Osun state. Rivers state reportedly recorded the highest and most serious cases of violence during the accreditation process. Protests, violence and sporadic shootings over alleged non-availability of some electoral materials were reported in Buguma, Obio Akpor and Andoni LGAs. In Obio Akpor, for example, thugs reportedly snatched electoral materials meant for voting. Also in Gokana LGA, men in fake military uniform and identity cards were apprehended by the police. The house of the current Rivers state Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Joeba West, was also reportedly set ablaze. Clashes involving political party agents were also reported in Iyamoyom in Obubra LGA of Cross River State, leading to injuries.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout was generally noted to be significantly lower than witnessed during the presidential elections, particularly in urban centres. CDD in its post-election analysis will comment more extensively on the issue of voter turnout and apathy.

Concluding Remarks

While accreditation in the 28 March 2015 presidential and national assembly elections was slowed down by technical hitches, today’s exercise appears to have taken place with a minimal number of glitches despite significantly lower voter turnout. However, many states have recorded worrying levels of election-related violence with considerable deterioration in Lagos and Rivers states, key battlegrounds. CDD notes with serious concern, the high incidence of human rights violations reported across the country including loss of lives, arson and destruction of property, deliberate targeting of electoral officials, intimidation of voters etc. It is crucial that security agencies uphold their primary responsibility of maintaining law and order without partisanship. It is also imperative that party leaders, agents and supporters refrain from all acts of intimidation, incitement and violence. CDD calls on appropriate authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of all forms of electoral violence. 

Signed

Idayat Hassan

Director

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

Governorship Elections in Nigeria: PDP Vote Manipulation Reported In Parts Of Eastern Nigeria

Source: SaharaReporters

Nkanu East- 

Oruku Amechidodo- PU 009- Oruku- Amechidodo: PDP members in collaboration with security agents are instructing voters and insisting they must vote for them otherwise they should leave the Polling unit. INEC officials refused the people to vote under that type of situation, PDP members resorted to fighting them the INEC Officials. 

Nsukka: 
The party agent at Eha Uno ward has been kidnapped by PDP members. And other APC party members are demanding security. 

Uzo-uwani : 
Uvuru ward- no result sheet. 
 

 

Igbo eze South 

Unadu ward: Thugs are threatening to kill anybody that doesn’t vote for PDP. And the area is surrounded by men with machetes, guns, and all forms of weapons. 

Udenu 
LG Chairman reports that PDP seized all original result sheets from the collation center in Imilike ward. 

Oji River LGA: 
Ward 2 polling unit 1&2: PDP gave a Strange crowd called voters lots of PVCs to come and vote in their favour. 

Oji River- INYI I: elections should be cancelled, too many malpractices and intimidation. 

Oji River- Iga Akpugo ward PU 2- INEC officers refused to announce the no of accredited voters before commencing voting. 

Central schl Akpugo ward- unit 2: They are accrediting and voting at the same time. 

Achiuno ward 3 : Accreditation still ongoing 

Oji River: Central school Achi, Achi Uno ward III unit 001, incidence form is not used for people that failed the card reader accreditation. 

Aninri: 
Ward 11, unit 006, The INEC officers and security officers are working together with PDP, and are conducting manual accreditation instead of using the card reader. 

     

Enugu East: 

Abakpa ward 16: INEC refused to declare the total no of accredited voters in Abakpa ward 16, st Theresa primary school ward 16, st Cyprian ward 17 and Ugwogo ward 

Igbo etiti 

Ward 4 Aku- Old Pump- APC agent Nwanneka Okechukwu has been beaten to stupor and rushed to the Gen hospital Aku. Prince Okey Nwani engineered this. 

Otoboetiti ward 5 Aku  & Ukwuakjaka ward 4 Aku: No result sheets and INEC Officials have refused to reveal the number of accredited voters. 

AWGU : 

Ward 2: Though manual accreditation was done, PDP agents are threatening voters to vote only PDP members. It is clear that the security agents are backing them, since they didn’t react or try to stop them. 

Agbogugu Ward: There is serious fight and chaos going on in two polling units of the ward. And voters in other polling units are under serious threat from PDP. 

Anikenano / Ugwueme 8: though no accreditation took place, PDP agents are trying to smuggle out the few electoral materials in possession of the INEC Official. 

UDI 

Ebe Ward: PDP Agents are forcing voters to vote for PDP at the watch of security agents.

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

Clash Between Nwarong(Ngumba) and Fons Spark Controversy

By Tabah Eric (Tatanic)

An unhealthy atmosphere now looms in Mbum land as to who is the supreme authority within the village traditional setup. The controversial situation exploded yesterday at Mbipgo during the public presentation of Ta Nfor Nkwi Nyaar. The story goes that as costume demands, the “Ye Ngwarong” had requested that all the traditional rulers (fons) should stand up like other commoners. The demand met stiff resistance from the fons of Sop and Sehn. When the two fons rejected to stand up, Ye Nwarong and its followers also stood on the spot without any move. The brouhaha lasted for over 30 minutes. In the final analysis, the two fons stormed out of the palace courtyard. The fons according to what we gathered had their arguments based on the fact that they own the Nwarong (Kwifon, Ngumba).

On the other hand, members of the Nwarong society also say they are the ones who enthrone them and they also have the powers to dethrone any of them if need arises. Traditionalists have averred that this is a long accumulated conflict that finally exploded at Mbipgo. Some also argue that YeNwarong was still far off and there was no reason for the fons to stand. “Fons can only stand up when YeNwarong is close just like the Head of state when the military match-passes in front of him during official ceremonies”. Some members of the Nwarong believe that the fons dived into an avenue where there was no problem to create an embarrassing situation which they could have solved with just two calabashes of wine and apologize for the matter to be laid to rest. 

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

Dumbu Health Center Fire Disaster: Night Watch Man Dies after Severe Burns

By FC Ndi

The laboratory reduced to ashes

Ndang Johnson, the Night Watch man of the Dumbu Health Center who suffered from severe fire burns has kicked the bucket at the Nkambe District Hospital. Ndang Johnson died yesterday April 10, 2015 while undergoing medical treatment. It is said that the Night Watch man arrived the health center and in his routine habit of warming himself, he lighted fire just to discover that flames were burning in the air. In an attempt to rescue the Health Center, and out of fear, he sustained severe burns. Tongues are still waging in Dumbu town in Donga Mantung Division over the demise of Ndang Johnson. He is the third person to die in that institution. A Nurse and a Clearner of the said Health Center died not long. Suspicion looms as to whether someone had not planted some “juju” or black magic in the premises of the health center. Yet, not a hint had linked the previous incidents to the eviction of the Chief of Health Center.

 It is alleged that the Laboratory technician of the Centre had changed the gas bottle and did not closed it firmly. The fire is said to have reduced to ashes everything inside the laboratory, injection and dressing rooms. Fire seems to elect permanent residence in Dumbu. Few months ago, fire rendered about 10 families homeless. This is the second incident in less than three months. 

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

Voici Le Proposition de loi Portant Protection, Réservation des Zones de Captage, des Lignes de Partage des Eaux et Milieux Humides au Cameroun Rejeté Par les Parlementaires RDPC

PROPOSITION DE LOI N°……./PJL/AN

Portant protection et préservation des zones de captage,

des lignes de partage des eaux et des milieux humides au Cameroun.

Présenté par

Hon AWUDU MBAYA Cyprian

Et

Les Membres du Groupe Parlementaire SDF

EXPOSE DES MOTIFS

            de la proposition de loi n°…./PJL/AN Portant protection et préservation des zones de captage, des lignes de partage des eaux et des milieux humides au Cameroun.

            Les zones de captage, des lignes de partage des eaux et les milieux humides constituent une source de vie importante et contiennent des ressources naturelles indéniables. Celles-ci contribuent au bien être et à la santé de toute la population Camerounaise à travers tout le territoire national.

            En effet, l’économie du Cameroun dépend en partie de la biodiversité pour une bonne production. C’est ainsi, en ce qui concerne l’énergie électrique, l’agriculture, l’industrie, la fabrication des produits (textile, cosmétique), le transport des personnes et des biens par voie maritime.

            Au regard de la croissance démographique observée dans le monde en général et au Cameroun en particulier et de l’obsolescence des textes en vigueur, la nécessité de la protection et de la préservation de solides sphères s’annonce avec une grande acuité.

            La présente proposition de loi a un triple objectif :

-  le renforcement de la protection et de la préservation des zones de captage, des lignes de partage des eaux et des milieux humides ;

- la réaffirmation de l’importance de ces ressources naturelles ;

- l’encouragement des individus, des communautés, des entreprises, des ONG d’autres organismes et des Etats à s’impliquer davantage à cette action et à sauvegarder ces zones.

Par ailleurs, la pollution et la spoliation de ces ressources naturelles inhérentes à la vie humaine et animale ont un impact considérable sur les changements climatiques. Sous ce rapport une réglementation spécifique et rigoureuse doit être implémentée par toutes les parties prenantes.

Organisée autour de 05 chapitres pour 14 articles, cette proposition tend à fixer le régime des zones de captage, des lignes de partage d’eau et des milieux humides à travers les dispositions générales (articles 1 à 2) ; (les atteintes et les activités nocives aux dites sphères (articles 3-5 )  l’autorité de tutelle  (articles 6-7) ; la gestion et l’exploitation (articles 8-9) ; les obligations et les pénalités (articles-10-13)  et les dispositions finales (article 14).

L’adoption de cette proposition de loi par la Représentation nationale permettra aux populations camerounaises d’avoir de façon permanente de l’eau et voir une avancée saine de leur développement.

Telle est l’économie de la présente proposition de loi soumise à l’examen du Parlement.

CHAPITRE 1^ER

REGIME DES ZONES HUMIDES

ARTICLE 1^er :- (1) La présente loi fixe, la protection, la préservation et la gestion des zones de captage, de lignes de partage d’eaux et des zones humides au Cameroun.

           (2) La présente loi couvre l’ensemble des zones de captage  les différentes lignes de partage d’eau et des milieux humides du territoire national.

                   (3) Ces zones et milieux constituent des éléments du patrimoine national.

ARTICLE 2 :- Au sens de la présente loi et de ses textes d’application, les définitions ci-après sont admises.

-       Zone de captage : espace où sont recueil lies les eaux

-       Zones humides : espace imprégné d’eau

-       Marécage : lieu inculte et humide où s’étendent des marais

-       Marais : nappe d’eau stagnante recouvrant un terrain partiellement envahi par la végétation

-       Etang : étendue d’eau moins vaste, moins profonde qu’un lac

-       Marigot : bras mort d’un fleuve

-       Marais salant : bassin creusé à proximité des côtes pour extraire du sel de l’eau de mer par évaporation (salive).

-       Bassin : territoire arrosé par un fleuve et ses affluents.

CHAPITRE II

ATTEINTES OU ACTIVITES NOCIVES A CES ZONES

ARTICLE 3 :- Sont considérées dans le sens de cette loi comme atteintes et activités nocives, les actions ci-après :

-       l’exploitation illégale ou illicite des zones objet de la présente proposition de loi ;

-       l’exploitation abusive et anarchique des ressources naturelles, halieutiques et animales y existantes ;

-       la spoliation ;

-       le déversement des déchets et des produits toxiques.

ARTICLE 4 :- Nonobstant les cas visés à l’article 3 ci-dessus, toute autre activité préjudiciable aux zones humides et aux lignes de partage des eaux demeure prohibée.

ARTICLE 5 :- Sont également prohibées l’utilisation et l’emploi des engins industriels lourds pouvant causer des dégâts matériels et environnementaux sur et dans les zones régies par la présente loi.

CHAPITRE III

DE L’AUTORITE DE TUTELLE

ARTICLE 6 :- (1) Le Ministre de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la nature et du Développement durable, détermine les objectifs de l’Etat relatifs à la protection et à la préservation des zones et milieux, objet de la présente loi.

                               (2) Il peut également les définir de concert avec d’autres départements Ministériels dont il juge le concours nécessaire.

ARTICLE 7 :- Les zones de captage et de partage des eaux, les contours, les limites et les étendues géographiques des milieux humides sont fixés et arrêtés par l’autorité visée à l’article 6 alinéa 1 ci-dessus.

CHAPITRE IV

DE LA GESTION ET DE L’EXPLOITATION

ARTICLE 8 :- (1) La gestion des zones de captage, de partage des eaux et des milieux humides sur l’étendue du territoire national est du ressort du Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la nature et du Développement durable.

                             (2) Les compétences définies à l’alinéa 1 ci-dessus peuvent faire l’objet d’une délégation dans le cadre de la décentralisation.

                                    (3) Les modalités de la délégation mentionnée à l’alinéa 2 ci-dessus sont définies par un texte règlementaire.

ARTICLE 9 :- (1) L’exploitation des zones de captage, de partage des eaux et des milieux humides est réservée aux Sociétés d’intérêt public ou privé d’une part et aux opérateurs économiques trouvant leur compte d’autre part.

                              (2) Nonobstant le régime et la nature de l’exploitation, elle demeure soumise au payement d’une redevance annuelle de 2,5% à 5% conformément au chiffre d’affaire déclaré.

CHAPITRE V

DES OBLIGATIONS ET DES PENALITES

ARTICLE 10 :- (1) Dans le cadre de cette loi, les exploitants des zones de captage, de partage des eaux et des milieux humides doivent observer des obligations substantielles.

            (2) Les obligations relevées à l’alinéa 1 ci-dessus se déclinent à travers les actions d’utilité publique ci-après :

            A) planter les arbres ;

b) irriguer les surfaces humides ;

c) drainer les zones marécageuses ;

d) protéger et préserver les espèces rares pouvant s’y trouver ;

e) observer les dispositions des articles 3, 4, et 5 ci-dessus.  

ARTICLE 11 :- Les infractions commises par les gestionnaires et les exploitants sur les zones de captage, de partage des eaux et des milieux humides entrainent les pénalités dont les montants varient selon le cas et sont fixés par un texte réglementaire.  

ARTICLE 12 :- Les auteurs des infractions, nonobstant les pénalités indiquées à l’article 11 ci-dessus peuvent encourir des condamnations pénales.

ARTICLE 13 :- (1) Les montants affectés aux infractions pouvant causer un préjudice à l’Etat, aux bénéficiaires, aux gestionnaires et aux exploitants des zones de captage, de distribution des eaux et des milieux humides, sont fixés selon leur gravité.

                                  (2)  Les montants évoqués à l’alinéa 1 ci-dessus sont fixés conformément aux dispositions des articles 3, 4 et 5 de la présente loi ainsi qu’il suit

            a)- 25 000 (vingt cinq mille) franc CFA par jour à compter de la constatation pour les infractions moindres ;

            b)- 50 000 (cinquante mille) franc CFA par jour à compter de la constatation pour les infractions moyennes ;

            c)-  500 000 par jour cinq cent mille)  franc CFA par jour à partir de la constatation pour des infractions graves issues d’une coaction.

CHAPITRE VI

DISPOSITIONS FINALES

ARTICLE 14 :- La présente loi sera enregistrée, publiée suivant la procédure d’urgence, puis insérée au Journal Officiel en français et en anglais.

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

Private Members' Bill: What Hon. Awudu Said to the Chairman of the Committee on Production and Trade

The Chairman of the Committee on Production and Trade,        

 Honourable Members of the said Committee,

Hon. Awudu Mbaya: Climate Change Campaigner

I want to thank you for your kind words to me and to members of the SDF Parliamentary Group accompanying me and for the conviviality that characterized our  discussion of this Private Members’ bill to lay down Rules Governing the Protection and Preservation of Water Catchment Areas, Watersheds and Wetlands in Cameroon.

I wish to first of all extend my cordial greetings to you.  I would also like to say that it seems to me the explanatory statement which has just been read out to you is quite explicit. However, to forestall the kind of confusion that arose during the Chairmen’s Conference between this Private Members’ bill and Law No. 98/005 of 14 April 1998 to lay down rules governing water resources, we have deemed it necessary to delete from the first paragraph of the said explanatory statement the following statement: “there is an adage that water is life”. In the place of the above adage in the English version, we have now inserted the word “endow” between the expression “…important source of life…” and “…natural resources…” The corrected version now reads as follows:   “water catchment areas…and are …endowed with … resources”

The rest shall remain unchanged.

May I crave the indulgence of this august Committee to allow me suppress the expressions “water” and “diversify” from the second paragraph and to replace them after the word “relies” with “ partially… on biodiversity” on the one hand, and to insert the qualifying adjective “improved” after the expression “for ” on the other hand.

The corrected version now reads: “In fact, Cameroon’s economy partially relies on biodiversity for improved productivity”.

At the beginning of the fourth paragraph, the “accent grave” which unfortunately slipped into the word “a” in the French version was deleted.

Mr Speaker,

Honourable Committee members

Let me now talk about the purpose of this Private Members’ bill that I am defending before you today.

It is titled “Private Members’ bill to lay down Rules Governing the Protection and Preservation of Water Catchment Areas, Watersheds and Wetlands in Cameroon.   

The objective of this Private Members’ bill is to manage the areas concerned. Such management shall be made possible through a legal or even regulatory regime on the one hand, and a radical fight against the phenomenon of Climate Change on the other hand.

One of the concerns here is to discard from potential exploiters the idea of transforming, denaturing or even acting in contravention.

It is therefore due to the absence or obsolescence of current legislation governing such a domain that we deemed it necessary to table this Private Members’ bill which, if adopted, will fill this vacuum which seems glaring to all of us.

Concerning the sections of the Private Members’ bill, we maintain the substance. As for the form, we already indicated the presence of typos under Section 2 at the level of the seventh dash (omission of “accent grave” on the word “a”). Under Section 3 (the definite pronoun “aux” has been deleted) in the French version. Similarly, under Section 4, second line, “s” has been deleted from the qualifying adjective “préjudiciable” in the French version.

Dear Committee Members, while reassuring you of my willingness to provide the desired clarifications, I want to reiterate that this Private Members’ bill neither relates, in any way, to Law No. 98/005 of 14 April 1998 to lay down rules governing water resources nor relates to the exploitation and management of water resources which both concern the general policy on water resources distribution.

I thank you for your kind attention

 HON. AWUDU MBAYA CYPRIAN

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