With the inauguration of the CEMAC Parliament yesterday in Malabo; Heads of State of Central Africa want greater people??s participation. It took some 100 minutes yesterday in Malabo in a jammed-item agenda to get the new CEMAC Parliament out of its baptismal waters. It was before a record turnout of all six Heads of State of CEMAC; joined by their colleague of Sao Tome and Principe Fradique de Menezes. It was essentially a speech making event, the ritual beginning with the Mayor of Malabo who did not just wish everybody a nice stay in her city but also promised to
extend the legendary hospitality of the people of the city to all the law makers and other functionaries who; because of duty ; will henceforth be staying in Malabo. After the diplomatic niceties of the city??s Mayor came a series of four speeches from the principal officers of CEMAC; beginning with Hon. Pierre Ngolo of Congo who is the current chairman of the inter parliamentary commission and who; by all accounts and by the fact that he comes from the country of the current chairman; will be the first ever President of the CEMAC Parliament. The Congolese official limited his statement to the genesis that led to the creation of the new body. He paid glowing tribute to the President of Equatorial Guinea and all the citizens of that country for the enormous sacrifices they made to ensure that this important institution of CEMAC grows from birth to fruition. The Congolese law-maker said the Parliament has resolved that its first resolution in its records will be one formally expressing gratitude to the President and people of Equatorial Guinea. Reforms For the President of the CEMAC Commission; Cameroon s Antoine Ntsimi; the massive presence of delegations in Malabo for the event was eloquent proof of the desire of the leaders of the sub region to see greater grassroots participation in the conduct of the affairs of CEMAC. Mr Ntsimi said it was about time members stopped limiting reforms within CEMAC only to institutions. It said the most urgent issues included the fight against poverty; greater and easier movement of people within the sub region and ways and strategies of harnessing the huge resources of the sub- region in such a way as can really benefit the people. As host President; Obiang Nguema Mbasogo expressed the pride of his compatriots to host such an important institution of CEMAC. He promised to do all that will be humanly possible to continue to deserve the confidence of his peers. His colleague from Congo and current chair of the Conference of Heads of State of CEMAC; Denis Sassou Nguesso who followed him at the podium said the inauguration of the CEMAC Parliament would definitely give the institution more weight as its influence will now be felt at grassroots level. President Sassou said the sub- region has all it takes to take off economically; given the huge resources available. He said the greatest challenge facing the organisation was how to get the Regional Economic Programme off the ground. ??The success of this programme needs the involvement of all??; he emphasised; adding that the new parliament must serve as a relay to get all on board. ??We must squarely face the challenge of making the Central African sub region a pole of growth and economic prosperity by the year 2025?? he told the attentive audience at the main hall of the new Parliament. Some time earlier in the programme; the Secretary General of the Parliament; Amine Abba Sidick presented all the 30 members of the Parliament to the Heads of State. The names of some 50 people selected from among the MPs and technical staff of the Parliament rewarded with Community medals of merit were read out. On the instance of President Obiang a minute of silence was observed in memory of the President of the National Assembly of Sao Tome and Principe who is said to have died on Wednesday. The Heads of State later went to the main entrance of the imposing edifice were they took a group picture for posterity with the 30 members of the Parliament. The ultra modern structure built by a Chinese company costs some FCFA 15 Billion; entirely written off by Equatorial Guinea. It dominates the skyline in Malabo 11; a growing modern district which epitomises Equatorial Guinea??s nouveau-riche posture.
