End of Year Speech: Paul Biya calls for improved governance, announces sanctions on financial misconduct
By Synthia Lateu
Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, has announced sanctions against perpetrators of financial misconduct. In his 2024 end-of-year address to the nation on December 31st, he emphasized the need for improved governance across all sectors of activity in the country.
“Improving governance also means stepping up the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds. This ensures legal protection for private investment and land tenure security, where abuses have been noted,” he stated, assuring that “appropriate sanctions will be meted out on those found guilty of such offences.”
The head of state added that the country is in dire need of substantial financial resources to implement its crucial projects, however, they are increasingly scarce and challenging to mobilise due to the prevailing global situation and the local economy. He further stressed the need for urgent measures to address these issues.
President Paul Biya noted that Cameroon will make efforts to achieve the objectives established at the Extraordinary Summit of CEMAC Member States, held recently in the country, which underscored the pressing need to implement requisite structural reforms for fiscal consolidation within the sub-region.
He also mentioned that he had instructed the reorganization of Road Fund to enhance the country’s capacity to mobilize the funding required for road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects.
The head of state highlighted road rehabilitation projects to be launched in 2025, including the Bekoko-Limbe-Idenau and Mutengene-Buea sections, as well as several long-anticipated road projects now set to begin next year.
