UNDP, local dev’t ministry adapt drive to accelerate grassroot growth.

The session was chaired by the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam, and the Resident Representative of the UNDP, Aissata De. 

UNDP and the government through the Local development and decentralization ministry signed a partnership to launch the ongoing project to boost local development.

This was shortly after Cameroon adopted the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy plan to which the United Nations Development Assistance Framework is aligned. The project ends in 2026. 

The program is designed to accelerate inclusive growth in Cameroon. This is in a bid to achieve the country’s sustainable development goals through support to the government in the areas of improving the living conditions of the population at the grassroots. 

The scheme tackles series of challenges identified notably among them; the lack of quality and quantity in human, material and financial resources, the lack of infrastructure, the inadequate supply of and access to basic socio-economic services. 

It also handles the low level of involvement of the population in the management of local officials which hinders the full and effective functioning of councils and towns.

Restructuring project to match available resources 

Speaking to reporters, the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam expressed gratitude to the UNDP for its continuous support to the government through the project and its other activities. 

The member of government said the project has since its launch, recorded plausible results but has sadly failed to reach its desired target. This, he said, is due to a series of setbacks notable among them, the lack of the required financial means. 

Minister Elanga Obam said thanks to the session, the ministry and its partners will restructure the project to make it more workable based on available financial resources.

“We have attained certain results but when we take a look at it, it is not as good as we wanted it to be. It is time for us to restructure the project and have it at the dimension of our means based on resources available,” the member of government said

He also remarked that: “It is very important for us to do so because if we are successful, our local authorities and our regional authorities are going to receive a lot of tools that will help them to conduct the public policy of decentralization”.

UNDP fully committed to continue supporting project 

Speaking at the session, the UNDP Resident Representative in Cameroon, Aissata De, described the local development and decentralization project as one of its key schemes in Cameroon.

She said the project which has now touched some 374 councils and sub urban communities. Positive results she said, are in the areas of enhancing governance and the promotion of citizen participation and accountability in management of decentralized local authorities.

The UNDP representative said the institution remains fully committed to continue supporting the project and has drawn a roadmap for 2024. 

“Within the framework of the 2024 Work Plan, these orientations would give rise to operational activities such as the deployment of Geographical Information System, support for sustainable waste management, the digitization of services, support for the attractiveness of councils and the setting up of a geoportal,” she stated.

The project’s work plan for 2024, she added, will also influence “the promotion of smart and sustainable councils and towns, private investment in councils and the setting up of processing units for the benefit of local economic operators, in particular young people and women for endogenous growth”.