Already in government in 1975, the new PM is an old hand and has the credentials to tackle the multifarious demands of the citizenry. The coming into office of a new official of the stature of a Prime Minister necessarily calls for commentary, not only in the political elite class, but within the ranks of ordinary citizens, all too ready to give their opinion ?? even if only in bars, taxis and
workplaces ?? about presidential decisions. Tuesday??s presidential texts obviously, made no exception. While folks rushed to congratulate newly-appointed dear ones; others went to see their own maintained in the government team. The new Prime Ministers home was a veritable beehive with friends, admirers and even political judases, and detractors coming in to heap praises on the new occupant of the Lake-side residence. The lot was made up of government Ministers, mainly those maintained, and also senior administration officials with each seeking special notice. Who knows? Among the lot were also several fence-sitters, disguised as admirers as well as collaborators of the former PM, all too enthusiastic about seeking the notice of the new boss or making seeming pledges of loyalty. With the formal exchange of notes between the outgoing and the incoming PM yesterday comes a necessary end to feasting. At least, the spontaneous part. There is a lot of work to be done. That left undone by Mr Inoni and that which Mr Yang has set out to accomplish. The new Prime Minister is fully aware of the task ahead and the expectations of the citizenry. Hear him, as he spoke to our reporters minutes after his appointment as Prime Minister was made public Tuesday afternoon: ??(Cameroon) is a developing country, so the task is not going to be easy.?? This means Mr Yang is fully aware of his homework in a context of a growing need of the population to improve their lot. As Head of Government, ordinary citizens expect the new Prime Minister to serve as the veritable works supervisor in the numerous worksites the Head of State has opened in a number of key sectors within the framework of his ??Great Achievements?? programme, launched when he sought the peoples?? mandate and was consequently elected for another seven-year term as President of the Republic in 2004. Mr Inoni served as the President??s project manager. Now, with the recent constitutional amendment, making it possible for President Biya to seek another term at the helm of State, informed guess can only be that the ??Greater Achievements?? programme will be given more steam with a new manager: Philemon Yang. On the political front, what comes to mind is keeping together the broad-based coalition in government in which the CPDM is working with three other formations. ELECAM is being pulled out of the drawing boards to take over the organization of elections henceforth. The democratic option taken by the Head of State has to be sustained and improved upon. The ongoing programme to rid the nation of corruption and graft is also a serious political option as its success will greatly cleanse the tarnished image of Cameroon. These are some, though not exclusive, political issues Mr Yang will be expected to address. On the economic front, efforts ?? and serious ones though ?? have to be made to attract foreign investors by not only providing an investor-friendly atmosphere but also by ensuring that enough energy and communications systems are available to those who come. The ongoing fight against the rising cost of living, decried by ordinary citizens, has to be more closely followed up while some sighs about the effective use of HIPC funds in crucial poverty ??alleviation sectors have to be properly investigated. Youths are also begging for attention as many of them cannot find jobs. Classrooms, health facilities, roads and urban comfort security, women??s emancipation, the plight of handicapped persons, access to decent housing ?? are among the urgent issues to be tackled. These may appear gigantic, but the new Prime Minister has the political and technical posture to overcome such difficulties. Already, he has set the tone, appearing as a man who would rather function as a team leader?? ??I am confident that with the whole government and all Cameroonians, we will work together and succeed together,?? he told CT last Tuesday. A veteran of Cameroonian politics ?? he joined government in 1975 ?? he has held high-flight positions uninterruptedly in government and the diplomatic corps since then. Doubling as ??Doyen?? of this government, he has the necessary clout to get things done.
Nkendem FORBINAKE, Cameroon Tribune
