6 Juillet 2009
document
"Mr Prime Minister,
Honourable Ministers (Secretaries of State),
I would like first of all to congratulate those of you who have been maintained in Government, in their old functions or in new ones.
I also wish to welcome those who are joining them to make their contribution to our common endeavour to achieve democracy and progress.
My objective remains the same, namely to ensure the development of our country and improve the living conditions of our population through the policy of "greater achievements" as defined at the start of my seven-year term.
Although some progress has definitely been made, the results obtained have fallen short of our expectations. It was therefore necessary to find out why, identify the difficulties encountered and draw lessons from them.
There is no doubt that our task has been compounded by the global crisis that hit Cameroon a few months back. Some sectors like timber and cotton are severely affected. Enterprises have had to lay off workers. However, the crisis is not responsible for everything. Indeed, on the whole, our economy has been rather less affected than others.
In clear terms, I think that we have not been dynamic. The inertia that I have often decried is back again. Regrettably also, corruption, though it is being combated vigorously, continues to constrain our action.
Quite recently, I said that we should not surrender in the face of difficulties and that we should rather strive further to overcome the crisis. Besides, the early signs that the global economy is picking up are beginning to show. We should be ready to seize the ensuing opportunities.
From the overall economic perspective, the main thrusts of our economic policy remain the same:
We should implement an energy development programme that matches our potentials. Much time and much effort have been wasted. Those in charge of this sector should report on the actions undertaken within six months.
Agriculture, including livestock and fisheries, should generate major agro-industrial projects which have been shelved for years. Here also, I expect decisions and results. That way, not only shall we be able to prevent a food crisis in our country, but we shall also be able to satisfy the demands of neighbouring countries.
Our major industrial and mining projects have stagnated. Credits have definitely become scarce. However, would we be in this situation if we had been more responsive prior to the crisis? These issues must be revisited with a greater determination to succeed.
Real Progress to our Population
Concerning infrastructure, I am certainly pleased with the progress made. However, so many projects have incurred delays and above all many needs are yet to be addressed.
It goes without saying that this dynamic development policy should be based on rigorous budget management, but that such management should not be a setback to economic activity. As I said sometime ago, our economic revival efforts should go alongside a more open lending policy, support from the State, where necessary, and of course better consumption of appropriations.
The economic development of our country should not make us lose sight of this other prime mission of the government which is to bring real progress to our population in the areas of education, health, means of communication and access to drinking water and electricity. I am fully aware that substantial efforts have been made in the domain of education and health, but there are still major deficiencies as regards water and electricity. We must remedy this situation by all means.
I expect this new government to give fresh impetus to its action, particularly, in sectors which are apparently bogged down by some kind of routine and inefficiency. I also expect this government to revive the use of roadmaps, which seem to have fallen into disuse. Finally, I expect this new government, in its action, to show proof of real cohesion and solidarity which are factors of success.
Thank you for your attention."
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