FEICOM launches golden jubilee activities ahead December 5 event.

He was representing the Head of State, President Paul Biya. Minister Elanga Obam was accompanied to the ceremony by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo; the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Eloundou Essomba; and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform, Joseph Lee.

The Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, and a host of other top government personalities in and around Yaounde, also lived the event.

The local development minister said thanks to the exceptional managerial aptitude of Philippe Camille Akoa, the current Director General of FEICOM, the institution has become a symbol of a successful government at the service of its citizens. 

He said FEICOM has being working indefatigably to foster peace, national integration and living together of all Cameroonians.

“President Biya made the fight against poverty the corner stone of his administration. He has used FEICOM to successfully achieve this aim,” Elanga Obam asserted. He praised FEICOM for “making local collectivities a place to be”.

Tool for building national solidarity

Earlier, FEICOM boss had announced that the anniversary will be celebrated on December 5, under the theme: “FEICOM: A tool for building national solidarity”. 

He said the theme is in line with the objectives that necessitated the creation of FEICOM, through decree number 74/73 of 5 December, 5, 1974.

Akoa further disclosed that the choice of the theme stems from the fact that the creation of FEICOM resulted from reforms that were carried out in the constitution of the land on 20th May, 1972.

The said constitutional reforms, he said, led to the reunification of East and West Cameroons; requiring the lawmakers to create FEICOM as a technical and financial support instrument for the councils.

Akoa expressed satisfaction that over the past 50 years, FEICOM has astutely served this purpose, providing local authorities with the technical assistance and financial resources they need to carry out grassroots development. 

“FEICOM´s history is closely linked to that of the decentralisation process in Cameroon. Through its multifaceted support activities, FEICOM has contributed to the affirmation of the identity of the Cameroonian local authority in the post-independence era, which has become a key actor in the provision of essential services to the population,” Akoa stated. 

Some key dates & events

The FEICOM boss announced that as a follow up to the launching, regional offices and the headquarters will individually launch sporting activities on October 22, where football, and handball competitions will be on the menu. 

Others include Board games, and launch of the best staff competition. Conference debates on living together will hold on November 8, at the institution´s headquarters as well as a roundtable during which former and present FEICOM staff will share experiences.

From November 14 to 15, all regional offices will organise photo exhibitions and also orgainise conference debates on their chosen activities. On November 26, the Golden Jubilee Book will be launched at the headquarters.

Apart from the decrees that set the ball rolling for his institution, Akoa said other significant dates remain emblematic in the memories of the different managements and workers; past and present, who have ever been associated with FEICOM.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3259 of Monday October 14, 2024