Special status: Independent Public Conciliator takes office, defines activities

The North West Public Independent Conciliator Simon Tamfu Fai has emphasized that disputes between individuals particularly in matters of land and chieftaincy problems in the region are not within his competence.

Simon Tamfu Fai made the declaration Wednesday, January 19, during a ceremony to officially present the activities of the institution in Bamenda.

He also stated that only disputes between decentralized structures and users can be resolved within his institution.

“The mandate of the P.I.C covers principally amicable settlement of disputes, protection of rights and freedoms, fighting discrimination and promoting inclusion, investigating the function of public services at regional assembly and local council levels”, Simon Tamfu Fai said.

The law that covers the P.I.C spells out the scope of its activities to entertain complaints about acts of omission by service providers and does not mandate the office to treat issues between private individuals.

Speaking after the presentation, the mayor of Benakuma described the office of the Public Independent Conciliator as a critical institution at the time of rising dispute between council officials and the users.

“Many councils go for months without the payment of the salaries of workers. Obviously, this will help resolve the problem”, the mayor said.

The office of the Public Independent Conciliator was instituted on June 10, 2021, by a Presidential decree of the President of the Republic.