Mayors urged to engage in poverty alleviation, increase standard of living

By Vera Fon

Cameroonian Mayors have been urged to engage in Poverty alleviation projects to raise the living standards of their people and municipality.

The call was made during the ceremony of the Council’s International Economic Forum, known by the French Abbreviation as JEICOM 2023 which opened at the Yaounde Conference Center on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

The opening was chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute on behalf of President Paul Biya.

This second edition of the fair which was organized by the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC, has been placed under the “Food security: An imperative for the Councils”.

The official launch which was attended by several members of government, mayors, the diplomatic corps, foreign investors, and businessmen has as an objective to brainstorm ways to empower municipalities, tackling food security, hygiene, and sanitation.

According to the Prime Minister, the President believes in the crucial role councils have to play in imposing development from the base.

He also said, “The creation of regions in Cameroon, adoption of codes on decentralization and creation of the Ministry in charge of decentralization and local development and also a national school for local administration are tangible proof that the president and the government believe in the decentralization process as an important pillar of the National development strategy”.

These Mayors were further encouraged to tap from their ecosystems and exploit demand and which can lead to the creation of wealth and the government will support them in the decentralization process.

The occasion saw the presence of businessmen from 24 Countries.