Gov't presents 2022 EITI report belatedly.

Speaking during the workshop, the Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry, assured Cameroonians that though the report is being presented belatedly, government is working to make sure that the suspension that was slammed on Cameroon by the international body in February 2024, is reversed before the 2023 report is due.

The minister said the government is working tirelessly to position the country as a global player in the mining sector. He assured that the future of the national economy remains bright, more so as the government is working to ensure judicious use of resources, and meet the transparency standards in economic management prescribed by the EITI international body.

He said government is also working to correct both old and new errors and lapses in resources management pinpointed by the international body and make sure that from 2026, EITI-Cameroon starts publishing reports as at when due.

Minister Fuh Calistus said the government is working to increase competitiveness of Cameroon´s economic operators; trying to improve the business climate to make the country more attractive for business, and attract more direct foreign investments, especially by encouraging big time businessmen and women to enter the extractive industries sector.

The minister touched lightly on how revenues from the extractive industries sector had continued to impact positively on the national budget. 

He stated that last year, the sector contributed over one thousand billion FCFA into the state coffers, compared to the less than eight hundred billion FCFA it contributed in 2023. He gave assurance that this upward trend in revenue inflow will continue for a reasonable time to come.

The minister promised that the executive bureau of EITI Cameroon would be renewed and revamped; and adequately equipped so that it carries out the duties assigned to it without undue setbacks.

Minister Fuh Calistus paid glowing tribute to Cabinet ENERTTEAM for he categorised as the professionalism the experts exhibited in carrying out the work to make sure that the 2022 report came out this month of March as programmed; after the Committee failed to meet the December 2024 deadline given it to make the report public.

Extractive industries representatives speak out

Minister Fuh Calistus spoke in response to observations made by members of the civil society represented at the EITI-Cameroon Committee and representatives of operators and corporations in the Cameroon extractive industries sector had spoken. 

Jessica Lengha Abega, who represents extractive industries at the Committee, and doubles as the Deputy General Manager of ADDAX Petroleum, reminded the government of the enormous task it has in its hands, in the drive to conform to standards set out by EITI International.

She outlined the recommendations extractive industries operators want the government to tackle as a matter of urgency, to meet international EITI standards. 

Abega said the government must promote transparency in the sector; and make sure the views of operators are taken into consideration during their engagement in committee meetings. 

The government, she said, should get more involved in the day-to-day running of the permanent secretariat, complete the long-awaited process of contractualisation of all the personnel of the committee and recruit new staff to beef up staff performance.

The government, she also recommended, should kick off the preparation of the 2023 report without further delay, and if possible do same for the 2024 report.

Abega expressed dismay that Cameroon was again suspended from the EITI in 2024 as was the case in 2019, but expressed optimism that there is room to turn the tides. 

She called on the government to show more commitment to addressing the real causes that led to the second suspension. 

While the government was found wanting on 15 counts before the 2019 suspension was handed down, the Abega disclosed that, the government was found wanting in 20 points before the 2024 suspension was inflicted.

She pledged that the extractive sector will continue to uphold the values that necessitated the creation of the EITI, to which Cameroon decided to adhere to since 2005.

Abega expressed the wish of all operators to see an era when Cameroon will be respecting international EITI standards and publishing annual reports without duress.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3391 of Thursday March 13, 2025