2021 State budget: PM Dion Ngute cites security, urban order as key sectors

Efforts by the government of Cameroon to end violence throughout the national territory in the year 2020 have almost proven futile.

Pundits cite the daily killings in the North West and South West and sporadic attacks in the Far North region by the sect Boko Haram as signs of security failure on the part of the state.

To better tackle this, the head of government in a video conference cabinet meeting Tuesday November 3rd 2020 said the 2021 state budget will focus more on security, given that separatist fighters, Boko Haram insurgents and criminality remain major threats.

In the domain of health, members of government noted that Cameroon has recorded over twenty thousand coronavirus cases since the outbreak on the 6th of March 2020 and more that 420 deaths.

This they say, indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat.

Government says it looks forward to strengthening prevention, which heth minister Dr. Manaouda Malachie says remains the surest way of staying free of COVID-19.

Despite health and security challenges in Cameroon, the country is leaving no stone unturned for a successful hosting of 2021 African football championship (CHAN) from January 16th to February 7th 2021.

As the country braces to be ready infrastructure-wise, PM Dion Ngute has frowned at urban disorder noticed in towns and cities in the country.

To the head of government, heaps of dirt, abandoned cars, non respect of traffic rules by motorcycles and heavy duty trucks plying the roads at all times do not reflect a country preparing to host international football competitions; that is CHAN 2021 and African Cup of Nations(AFCON) 2022.

With these in mind, members of government have therefore given main directives the budget will definitely follow.

This will be submitted at the presidency for approval before a final deposition at the National Assembly when the November budgetary session opens.

Critics of governance in Cameroon have however often criticised budgets voted each year, accusing ministries of not always producing expected results to ameliorate the living conditions of Cameroonians.

Mbatho Ntan.