Which Decree Would Biya Unleash First

- Appoint Deputy VCs/Rectors; Secretary Generals, SDOs, DOs or Assistant Government Delegates?

By Yussuf Sariki

For those who thought that President Paul Biya is an absolute landlord, have been fooled. Within the last 5 months, Paul Biya has been in Cameroon and roves between Yaounde and Mvomeka, his base of Memve’ele in the South where he placed the foundation stone for the Memve’ele hydro electric project. Next would be the Lom Pangar project, to meet up with his grand realization ambitions. Yet, Biya has been focused to shape issues. Almost a fortnight ago, he signed a decree appointing four (4) University Rectors/ Vice Chancellors. Other decrees are expected. But which of the decrees would Biya unleash nest?

A presidential insider hinted Chronicle in Yaounde last week that after the degree appointing University Rectors/Vice Chancellors, Biya would thereon scud to appointing Secretary Generals in ministries; Senior Divisional Officers, Deputy Rectors/ Vice Chancellors, even before Divisional Officers, DOs and Assistant Government Delegates to city councils.

Almost all regional governors, appointed last March, have wrapped up familiarization tours of their respective regions. With this done, it is expected that President Biya would thereon appoint Senior Divisional Officers.

It is five months ever since President Biya appointed regional governors. The case of Wouri in the Littoral and Mbam et Kim in the Centre are worrisome. This is where Bernard Okalia Balai just as Awah Fonka Augustine operated. Today they are governors of the South West and Far North regions respectively. No divisional officers have been appointed for their respective divisions to succeed them.

There is this other situation of Secretary Generals in ministries. Prof Fru Angwafor III, SG in the Ministry of Public Health, was upgraded as Director of the Gynaeco-Obstetric hospital; Ngole Philip Ngwese was SG in the Ministry of Public Service. Today, he is Minister of Forestry and Wildlife. And there are other cases, which Chronicle has been told had been recommended to the Head of State.

Biya’s table is inundated by varied files. After the appointment of University Rectors and a Vice Chancellor, the next move would have been the appointment of their deputies. So far, the seven (7) state-owned universities operate only with their Rectors (VCs) confirmed. The existing deputies are unsure of their status. Chronicle gathered that it is even enigmatic at the University of Bamenda, which has never had deputy vice chancellors. Prof Tafah Edokat is therefore let to stomach all headaches especially with the Director of ENS and ENSET, who may be unruly.

The case of Divisional Officers, (DOs) should normally hold after their superiors (SDOs) have been put in place. It is believed that those upgraded to SDOs have to be replaced by DOs, just as those due retirement. Many cases abound.

It is also believed that within this period of appointments and presidential decrees, President Biya would not avoid what he ahs negated for some 3 years.

Since the appointment of Government Delegates to the newly created city councils, some 3 years ago, everyone has been expecting another decree appointing deputy government delegates. This accounts why Vincent Nji Ndumu in Bamenda, Victor Nkele Ngoh in Kumba and Motanga Andrew of Limbe have for the past 3 years governed without deputies. This Chronicle gathered has not made things good for functioning.