To make anti-corruption fight effective: CONAC president urges MPs to vote law granting institution’s independence.

The CONAC president made the appeal, Tuesday January 10, during a working session with members of the Parliamentary Network for the Fight Against Corruption, APNAC.

The 11-man delegation of lawmakers were led by APNAC’s Executive Chairman, Hon Essomba Bengono.

Speaking during the meeting, CONAC president lauded the initiative of the country’s parliament in creating a network to fight against corruption.

“Their visit comes barely days after the Head of State’s address to the nation in which he highlighted the problem of corruption in our country, which is one of the main causes of our underdevelopment,” Rev Dr Massi Gams said.

After a presentation of some challenges being faced by the institution, the CONAC president said a full autonomy of the body will render it more effective in its fight against corruption. This, he stressed, can only be guaranteed through the enactment of laws by the parliament.

“I think if parliament can vote a law granting more independence to CONAC, then it will be very important and we will succeed. All Cameroonians will be happy as the fight against corruption will be a reality,” the president stated.

He added that, “every citizen will be able to contribute to the fight against corruption”.  

On his part, Hon Essomba assured that CONAC’s challenges will help in their advocacy towards the reinforcement of its independence.

“The challenges we’ve noted will be examined seriously in a bid to draft an anti-corruption national convergence law. We are going to take into consideration some of these points ahead of the start of the budget orientation session,” APNAC Chairman added.

‘Parliamentarians responsible to make CONAC stronger’

According to APNAC’s officer in charge of Industries and Production, Hon Kumase Simon, it is their responsibility as lawmakers and people’s representatives to make CONAC more effective.

“We came to better understand the problems CONAC is facing and as the people’s representatives, we feel we can join hands to fight corruption of the system,” Hon Kumase said.

“Corruption is an ill to our society and as people’s representatives it is time we tell those involved that the Cameroonian people are not happy and it is time they stop,” he added.

“We parliamentarians have the responsibility to make it independent. To have a stronger CONAC, it should not be linked to any ministry. It should be independent structurally and budget wise, so that it can get to the field and carry out work without hindrances,” the MP for Santa constituency reiterated.