Secondary Education Minister Warns Ngoumou Mayor Against Discrediting Government Ahead of Elections
Secondary Education Minister, Prof. Pauline Nalova Lyonga has expressed disaproval with remarks made by the Mayor of Ngoumou, Amvouna Atemengue Jean Baptiste Martin, who criticized government for not doing enough to support schools in his municipality.
On November 13 during the donation of benches to GBHS Otele by Senator Nkodo Laurent, Mayor Amvouna Atemengue described the state of schools in his municipality as a “dustbin,” citing neglect and inadequate renovation efforts. He further lamented that these conditions were evidence of the fact that “secondary education is dying.”
In a letter dated November 14, addressed to the mayor—who was elected under the banner of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM)— minister Nalova Lyonga warned him to correct his statements, suggesting that his remarks could undermine the government ahead of the upcoming elections.
Minister Nalova Lyonga found the mayor’s comments disrespectful, describing them as uncivil. The mayor also questioned why the MINESEC budget had not been disbursed in large sums to local regions, prompting the minister to clarify that 87% of the 550 billion CFA francs allocated to MINESEC is used for staff costs.
“In a pre-election context, your comments can only serve to incite dissatisfaction and discontent with the government,” the minister wrote. “I would appreciate it if you could set the record straight.”
Both officials are prominent members of the ruling CPDM party in their respective localities. Mayor Amvouna Atemengue serves as the mayor of Ngoumou in the Méfou and Akono Division of the Centre Region, while Minister Pauline Nalova Lyonga is a member of the CPDM Permanent Divisional Delegation in Fako, South West Region.
