1.2.1 Institutional mechanism

54. Coordination and technical support bodies have been established to reinforce already existing institutions such as the Technical Committee for Monitoring Economic Programmes (CTS) and the Advisory Committee for the Management of HIPC Resources.

• 55 For more efficient coordination, the government has set up an inter-ministerial Committee for the supervision of PRSP implementation. Under the chairmanship of the secretary general of the Prime Minister’s office, this committee is responsible for the PRSP implementation process and smooth execution of the government’s commitments under the three year medium-term economic and financial programme.

56. The inter-ministerial committee is assisted by a technical committee for the monitoring and evaluation of PRSP activities under the authority of the minister of Planning, Development Programming and Regional Development. The technical committee chaired by the secretary general of this ministry is responsible for assisting the inter-ministerial committee for the technical coordination of monitoring and evaluation activities of PRSP implementation. The committee comprises government officials and representatives of some public institutions (NPG, NIS) and representatives of consular chambers, the private sector, local authorities, religious associations, NGOs and associations, donors and funding bodies. To date, the technical committee has produced several quarterly reports on internal monitoring and two progress reports. It has also updated some components of the PRSP, including sources of growth and the economic framework.

57 The technical committee has a Technical Secretariat which comprises a central coordination unit and five thematic groups in charge of the following sectors: governance, infrastructure, social, production, indicators and macro-economic framework.

58 Provincial committees in charge of participatory monitoring of the PRSP are responsible for monitoring PRSP execution in provinces. Under the chairmanship of the provincial governor, each committee comprises the provincial delegate of MINPLAPDAT, who is the moderator, a provincial finance controller, a representative of the civil society (vice-chairman), a representative of the NIS, the private sector, NGOs, religious organisations and associations. These committees also comprise sector-based groups. They produce quarterly reports which are used in the preparation of national reports.

1.2.2 Monitoring and evaluation statistical mechanism

59. This mechanism was a continuation of the Minimum Statistical Programme (MSP) in the PRSP. Its main goal is the capacity-building of the national statistical system in order to develop a structured and coherent information system that can produce relevant indicators. These indicators must help the government and all the actors involved to: (i) monitor the mobilisation and use of resources; (ii) assess the level of physical execution of projects and programmes; and (iii) measure the results achieved, as well as the positive impact on the population’s living conditions and poverty reduction.

60 The preparation of this mechanism resulted in a document being produced that presents key elements of the analysis and proposes a list of indicators, a priority plan of action with figures. This plan has several components, namely a short and medium-term building programme for the system as a whole. To ensure performance of this mechanism, it has been supplemented with the design and preparation component of great significance in the implementation of administrative data collection and processing system.

61 The mechanism was approved by the National Institute of Statistics in July 2005. It was submitted to the government for implementation supported by development partners. Future actions include designing a national statistical development strategy (NSDS) and MTEFs.

62 Implementation of the mechanism was concrete by: (i) the third population and health survey (PHS III). Apart from the common socio-demographic indicators, a component on HIV/AIDS screening was introduced; (ii) use of data of the survey on living standards (CAVIE) in Yaounde and Douala, which help better measurement of the poverty profile in urban areas in order to draw up an urban development strategy through the Programme on Urban Governance (PUG); (iii) national employment and informal sector survey (survey 1-2). Its available results will help the government update its strategy on the promotion of employment and better targeting of intervention in the informal sector and improve the quality of national accounting operations and (iv) continuation of activities of the third general population and housing census (GPHC III) which took place from 11 November to 11 December 2005.

63 Moreover, other important actions were carried out, including:

• publication of final national accounts, 1993–2003 series and interim national accounts 2004–2005 series, in accordance with the national accounting system in force (93 SCN);

• regular publication of statistics on the final consumer prices of households to evaluate inflation trends and the production of current statistics;

• updating the 2003 school and health mapping, and the survey on the 2005 vaccination coverage, in the area of sector-based statistics;

• continuing activities of the International Comparison Programme (ICP) for availability of Purchasing Power Parities (PPP);

• intensifying the dissemination of statistical information with the design of the National Institute of Statistics Web site (www.statistics.cameroon.org).

64 In order to improve the quality and efficiency of public expenditure, the government conducted a public expenditure tracking survey to measure the satisfaction of beneficiaries in the education and health sectors. Besides the main reports on the results of these operations, a priority action matrix was produced. It was adopted by the various parties involved and submitted to the government. To date, some measures of this plan of action are being implemented, for example: accountability of vote holders who must report to the beneficiary population information on planned investments and produce a budget execution report at least once the financial year comes to an end. However, this priority action matrix should be more efficient given the difficulty involved in a more direct targeting of the responsibilities of actors. A team of World Bank experts is expected to continue this process

65 Similarly, book keeping has been initiated on the management of public funds. The process aims to build a financial and accounting library to be used by the Audit Bench. Activities are carried out to ensure the expeditious monitoring of the way these measures are implemented by the administrative services responsible for expected outcomes.

66 The recent establishment of management bodies of the NIS with the appointment of the director general and deputy director general of this institution will give a new impetus to the activities of the National Statistical Information System.

1.2.3 Participatory monitoring mechanism

67 The participatory monitoring mechanism pursues the goals of developing the appropriation process of poverty reduction strategies, improving transparency and accountability of various actors, quality service delivery (in public services) and ensuring supervision of the PRSP monitoring process, and future National Development Plan.

68 In 2004 and 2005, the monitoring and evaluation mechanism was implemented through participatory evaluation reviews. They were ordered by the minister of Planning, Programming and Regional Development in March 2004 and July 2005. The reviews conducted in a broad consultation context nationwide provide a summary of the execution of actions enlisted in the poverty reduction programme, with special emphasis on appraisal of the quality of achievements by the beneficiaries.

69 Review activities are based on a preliminary report produced by provincial committees. The main aim of these activities is to present the document to a group more representative of the locality to make sure that all poverty-alleviation projects are evaluated, confirm the level of execution as indicated in the preliminary report, evaluating the quality of projects executed and their relevance to poverty reduction goals taking into account the appraisal made by beneficiaries and the review’s proposed corrective measures. Working sessions are conducted in four committees which correspond to sector-based groups set up within provincial committees, namely the production sector committee, infrastructure committee, social sector committee and governance sector committee.

70 A reflection was conducted for the formulation of a formal participatory monitoring methodology which led to the recruitment of the Canadian SOFEG consultancy group in December 2005, following an international call to tender. The group resumed work on 5 January 2006. The interim report is expected in March 2006. After an enlarged seminar that will see the participation of all actors, a final report will be validated and submitted to the government for implementation of the methodology adopted.

71 Reflection on the institutional framework responsible for collecting actors’ viewpoints in the participatory monitoring process takes into account bodies already involved in this process generally either for development, or particularly for poverty reduction actions, namely the CTSE-DSRP, development committees, the CCS/PPTE and the PNDP. At the present time, review missions which were usually conducted by the CTSE have been suspended. They are likely to resume once the new methodology is approved.

3.2.1 Developing the rural sector

• 98. As part of actions aimed at improving access of the peasant population to modern and highly performing techniques, research themes in peasant circles were intensified, concerning plant and animal production, as well as in more specific areas such as peasant association, semi-urban agriculture, pesticide-effect plants and agricultural, forestry and pastoral management. To date, partial results are available only for a few research projects on: kola, cocoyam, tomato, fish, peasant associations and semi-urban agriculture. Delays recorded in the production of results are due to difficulties in mobilising the funds needed to finance these activities.

• 99. Technological innovations were transferred through extension of research results and support in accessing these innovations.

100. In the area of fisheries and fish-farming, the rate of post catch losses has decreased, down from 35 to 20 per cent, with the introduction of improved fresh fish salting and smoking techniques, and control of dry fish parasites. The average surface area of ponds has increased from 850 to 1323 m² per farmer organisation, while the average output up from 0.66kg/m² to 0.80 kg/m², representing an increase of 55.6 per cent and 21.2 percent respectively. An interim fish-breeding station comprising 8 ponds with a surface area of 1000m² has been created and 14,800 young fishes were produced and distributed as part of the Project on the Development of Husbandry and Fisheries (PDEP) in the South-West province. The execution of the project on the development of fisheries through modernisation of small-scale fishing techniques will help raise the production and incomes of the population along the Atlantic coast.

101. As concerns the use of fertilizers, experiments are being conducted in the West province by semi-urban businesses for manufacturing and use of organic fertilizer. As part of activities of the Programme on the Reform of the Fertilizer Sub-Sector (PRSSE), the government has created a revolving fund in 2004 and 2005. The fund which is worth CFAF 3.8 thousand million is aimed at financing businesses under the Medium-Term Loan Facility (MTLF) and the Renewable Credit Fund (RCF).

102. In order to reduce losses in plantations and stocks that jeopardize agricultural output, the government has initiated an environmentally friendly policy on plant protection and quality agricultural produce. The new phytosanitary strategy depends on the creation, training and support in equipment of village brigades and promotion of integrated pest control.

103. Actions aimed at sustainable management of resources are mostly focused on the fragile ecological areas of the North, Far-North and Adamawa. As a matter of fact, the following projects contributed in the development of 41,158 ha and construction of 1588 millstreams: the WGT (Water, Ground, Tree), PARFAR and PNVRA projects.

104. Actions carried out since 2003 to improve access by the rural population to modern and high yielding cultivation techniques have gone far. A few results are palpable notably increased yields. In the North and Adamawa provinces, average maize yield increased from 2500–3000 kg/ha to 4550 kg /ha; and in the Centre province, from 3000 kg/ha to 3600 kg/ha.

105. Promotion of community development is dependent on a series of programmes, the most important of which are the PNDP and PADC.

106. As at 31 December 2005, activities of the PNDP covered 33 councils. In 2006, the programme will cover 41 new councils. The World Bank is the main donor. However, this programme also receives funding from Japan, the German and French cooperation through the French debt-relief programme (C2D), when it takes off, as well as the Cameroon government through HIPC funds and the state’s budget. As at 30 June 2005, contracts were signed with local support bodies for the supervision of 33 councils. Moreover, 75 local support bodies (LSB) received training in community-driven planning.

107. PADC activities cover only 2 provinces, namely the Centre and Far North provinces. The programme is financed by FIDA. As at 30 September 2005, 101 village development plans were drawn up. The following basic socio-economic facilities were constructed: 10 health centres, 120 classrooms, 25 latrines, 38 community posts, 56 water points, 6 bridges, 85 km of earth roads, 5 warehouses and 1 playing ground.

108. Other community development projects are also under execution, namely: the GRASSFIELD, RUMPI and PADDL projects.

109. A National Cooperative Development Policy Paper has been produced, adopted and validated. Several projects promote and support cooperative development, namely: the PARI project (Agricultural professionalism and institutional capacity-building); the PNVRA; PADC, PNDP; PCRD/MIFED; FIMAC; PDEP/SO, PMEDP. Five community projects were drafted and approved as part of the Programme on Sustainable Livelihoods in Fishing (PMEDP).

110. Programmes and projects were initiated and launched to develop buoyant sectors. They are specifically: (i) project to revive rice cultivation in the Logone valley which has been under execution since 2003 funded by HIPC funds; (ii) onion and garlic project which has helped 500 onion producers receive fertilizers and motor pumps in 2004 in the Far North province supported by the National Employment Fund (NEF), Canada also assists onion farmers with storage facilities; (iii) the special programme on tuber and root crops launched since 2004, focused mainly on cassava and Irish potato.

111. As concerns implementation of the Forestry/Environment sector-based programme, funding mechanisms have been adopted; monitoring and evaluation procedures manual of the programme and its funding are underway completion. Moreover, a committee to analyse streamlined management plans was set up in September 2004 following the revised procedures manual, with regard to community forestry.

112. Consultation meetings were organised to design the Rural Water Supply Master Plan. It will comprise three components, namely: rural water supply, agricultural water supply and pastoral water supply. It should however be pointed out that as part of rural water supply, 197 water points were created in the Northern part of the country through the project on the rehabilitation and creation of water points for livestock (PRCPB).

3.2.2 Promoting financial intermediation

113 Quotations at the Douala Stock Exchange (DSX) took off with two types of operations, including government negotiable bonds and treasury bonds. Government negotiable bonds concern transfer to the DSX of the management of treasury bonds notably zero coupon treasury bonds excluding bonds issued in payment of salary arrears which was formerly through bank transfers. As at 31 March 2005, bonds worth CFAF 2.220 thousand million were negotiated at the DSX for a CFAF 25 thousand million return. Treasury bonds concern a compulsory loan worth CFAF 16 thousand million issued by the Douala City Council for the financing of road construction works in Douala. The first bracket of this operation worth CFAF 7000 million was a record success with a subscription rate of 115 per cent, representing 56 per cent made by foreign investors. Preliminary transactions for quotation on this loan are underway.

114 The adjustment process of the Micro finance sector was based on provisions of regulation No 01/02/CEMAC/UMAC/COBAC of 13 April 2002 on the terms and conditions to be fulfilled to start and control a micro finance firm in the CEMAC sub-region. Thus, the MFIs that operated before the enforcement of this regulation were granted 3 years, to comply with this regulation. The deadline expired on 14 April 2005. Since then the COOPEC sector has been completely adjusted. About 250 MFIs were dissolved or suspended. As at 31 December 2005, 364 MFIs were authorized in Cameroon. The files of 182 other MFIs, including 157 at the level of COBAC and 25 at government level are being studied. A project to create MFIs in the Northern provinces will soon be complete with support from the Islamic Development Bank.

115 Moreover, public authorities in Cameroon conducted a census of MFIs in May 2005. Results of the operation showed that some MFIs have more than 260,000 members and more than 1000 employees. These institutions have more than CFAF 43 thousand million in deposits of which 72 percent, representing CFAF 31,000 million are granted through loans earmarked for the agricultural sector (35 per cent), small businesses (34 per cent), handicraft, SMEs and SMIs (20 per cent), salaried staff and other activities (11 percent).

116 As part of the promotion of relations between MFIs and commercial banks, the National Micro Finance Committee (NMFC) was authorised in January 2004 to make proposals regarding necessary guidelines for this sector. Since then, the following actions have been carried out: (i) establishment of an MFI professional association (ANEMCAM), (ii) sponsorship of 5 agreements between banks and MFIs; (iii) several agreements under private signature, mainly as part of transfer operations, money instruments with international institutions such as Western Union, MoneyGram, etc., (iv) support for extension of the MC2 network associated with Afriland First Bank through a project to be financed under HIPC and FIDA (PPMF) funds which starts in 2006; (v) several MFIs signed technical and financial assistance contracts with Planet Finance. Moreover, COBAC gave a favourable opinion to 232 MFIs which distributed CFAF 25,000 million in loans.

117. Actions are also on course to collect FIMAC first generation credits and ensure their transfer to MFIs.

118 A number of incentives were introduced to extend banking coverage in the country. The first measure concerns tax reductions for MFIs, as they serve as relay organs in the banking sector in areas where institutional costs can not be covered by ordinary banks. An action plan was drafted in June 2004 and is gradually being implemented in a consultative approach. Thus, as part of actions to support rural MFIs of the PPMF, 62 rural MFIs benefited from a staff training and received equipment. 94 others were programmed for the first half of the year 2006.

119 As concerns promoting the development of rural sector funding institutions and mechanisms, a proposal was made to create an agricultural bank. First, funding needs are estimated at CFAF 20,000 million per year in the short term and CFAF 25,000 million in the medium term. The bank will consist essentially of private shares and integrate a reference business. The National Credit Council will hold an extraordinary meeting in mid January 2006 to decide on the terms and conditions for establishing this institution. Moreover, promotional activities aimed at opening a specialised counter in commercial banks are on-going, as well as the strengthening of financial intermediation in rural areas.

120 As part of efforts to promote decentralised financial systems, the PADC supported the establishment of 34 roving securities of CFAF 1 million each in MFIs, for village development associations (VDA), between 2004 and 2005. To have access to this security, the beneficiary VDA must have a credit account. It should also be noted that implementation of the MINADER/MIFED convention continued, in order to extend the self-reliant village funds network. CFAF 109 million was granted to seven existing networks that account for a total of 142 funds and 44,184 members. 35 new funds are under creation, and a credit line has been funded amounting to CFAF 125 million.

121. Some 65 businesses received loans worth a sum total of CFAF 58,077,000 as part of the Livestock and Fisheries Development Project in the South-West Province. Ninety-five micro-credits worth CFAF 300,000 each were granted to small-scale stock breeders and fish farmers for the project dubbed “Support to the Diversification Component of the Special Programme on Food Security (PSSA)”. Credits in kind were also granted. Moreover, under PADER the National Employment Fund disbursed CFAF 139 million for 200 groups, i.e. close to 2,500 women and youths in the Nkam, Wouri and Moungo divisions. The Housing and Loans Fund (Credit Foncier) is in its second restructuring year; this operation is aimed at bringing the institution back to achieving the missions stated in its internal rules and regulations on the one hand, and in producing reliable accounts on the other.

122. As concerns the Poverty Reduction and Pro-Women Actions in the Far-North Province, the component on “credits for micro-projects” was transformed into a Provincial Financing Fund, a third category of micro-finance institutions aimed at reviving local MFIs with low interest rates.

123. Such measures also promote savings in rural areas.

3.2.3 Developing the industrial sector

124. Promoting the manufacturing of agricultural tools and equipment lies mostly with the encouragement of effective demand of such tools and equipment, through the development of a support programme for the mechanisation of agriculture. Activities for the current year are geared towards the creation and equipment of seven (07) pilot groups for the common use of agricultural equipment (motor cultivators). Seven (07) motor cultivators equipped with a trailer were therefore acquired from CENEEMA. This equipment will be distributed to groups identified on a hire-purchase basis. Moreover, a sub-regional centre for training in agricultural mechanisation is under way creation in Cameroon through CENEEMA.

125 High growth potential sectors were identified and selected. They include the agro-industry, energy, forest/timber, textile/cotton, bauxite/alumina/aluminium, and technological development sectors. Specific actions were undertaken in each of these sectors.

126. The agro-industry sector. A vast economic transformation programme of the plantain sector (PREBAB) was launched, and aimed to develop the plantain industry both for domestic consumption and the sub-regional market where demand is on the increase. This will be done by boosting production, encouraging processing and rational distribution of produce and their by-products. As at 31 March 2005, terms of reference of preliminary studies on the programme were drafted; pedological, agronomic, macro-, micro-, and meso-economic validation studies were launched; negotiations are underway between the government and scientific, technical, financial and industrial partners about the private/public partnership platform in charge of PREBAP implementation, which is the step prior to the solicitation of donors for financial assistance.

127. The energy sector. In 2004, the government, with AES-SONEL, launched the Limbe thermal power plant for an additional 85 MW energy. This made it possible for the 2004–2005 low water season to elapse without any power cuts. Government is also planning to secure electricity supply for a smooth development of the industrial sector. In this regard, the government decided to construct a 150 MW new gas-fired power plant in Kribi. This project will be executed by a subsidiary company of AES-Sonel. Studies on the Lom-Pangar dam of a 7 thousand million m3 power capacity were conducted, while those on the construction of the Memve’le 200MW hydro-electric power plant are underway. The letter of intent signed with the ALCAN group in October 2005 with a view to increasing Alucam’s power production includes the construction of a new 300 MW hydro-electric power plant over River Sanaga at Nachtigal. On the Northern interconnected network, the government is planning to construct a hydro-electric plant over River Bini at Warak, in pre-emption of possible power cuts by 2011.

128. The forestry/timber sector. As concerns forestry, actions were geared towards making effective the Forest-Environment Sector Programme (FESP), and continuing implementation of reforms carried out under the third Structural Adjustment Credit (SAC III). Concerning implementation of FESP and the outcome of a 300 million dollar donation by development partners in the forest-environment sector over the next five years, the government amended decrees that organise the ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, and the ministry of Environment and the Protection of Nature, so as to clear possible overlaps likely to hinder a smooth execution of the programme. The government also embarked on a rehabilitation process of former CELLUCAM; this process includes an appropriate sylviculture and a forest regeneration programme. A mission is underway to assess the prevailing situation of forest concession formerly attributed to CELLUCAM. At the end of this assessment, unexploited surface areas will be transferred to the State’s portfolio for allocation in the future.

129. As far as SAC III reforms are concerned, emphasis was laid on enhancing the consistency of data on logging, ameliorating the distribution system of forest titles, and increased accountability in the management of such titles. In this regard, quarterly publication in the media of valid titles continued satisfactorily, and the present situation is as follows: 43 definitive forest exploitation concessions, 33 provisional logging concessions, 37 sales of standing volume and 107 valid community forests under exploitation. Besides, 25 Forest Management Units (FMUs) were allocated in the presence of the independent observer hired to this end. Permanent consultations have been going on between the ministries of Wildlife and Forestry, Economy and Finance, and Justice to ease comprehension and implementation of court decisions, as well as the enforcement of penalties recommended by the forest law. The quarterly publication in the media of legal and judicial prosecutions, as well as fines and penalties against illegal logging also continued. Within the framework of forest taxation, follow-up summons are underway for the exploitation permits of three logging companies: CFE, AVEICO and SN-COCAM to be withdrawn.

130. The textile/cotton sector. Cotton fibre production by SODECOTON (about 350,000 farmers) stands at about 100,000 tons per year. The level of local industrial processing of cotton by CICAM is still low (about 5,000 tonnes). The clothing industry has become almost non-existent. To increase the industrial cotton processing rate, boost the clothing industry, and guarantee revenue to rural communities in the northern region, The government undertook the following actions: (i) strategic auditing and restructuring of CICAM, (ii) completion of the DYRICOTON project, which is a new investor with CICAM, (iii) preparation of the textile sector Code, study on cotton economic potentials in the northern region of Cameroon.

131. The bauxite/alumina/aluminium sector. Cameroon has a huge reserve of bauxite in the Adamawa and West provinces, as well as experience in aluminium industry. These assets notwithstanding, and in spite of the positive trend in the consumption of aluminium at the world level, the development of Cameroon’s aluminium sector is hampered by the power supply crisis. And this is a major hindrance to the extension of ALUCAM. In order to solve this problem, government signed a letter of intent with the ALCAN group, with the objective of increasing the production capacity of ALUCAM from the current 100,000 tons to over 260,000 tons per year by 2010–2011, for a total investment of US$900 million.

132. The technological development sector. In order to establish a reliable digital facility, the government has set up a strategic technical group, and a comprehensive study on the sector is underway for Cameroon to take a strategic position. The partnership process engaged with two Cameroonian groups (PASTEL and PRIME TECHNOLOGIES Inc.) by the NIC (National Investment Corporation) has made significant progress. Moreover, a memorandum signed between COTCO and the government makes it possible for the latter to exploit 12 of the 18 optic fibres installed along the Chad-Cameroon pipeline.

133. Tourism. According to the diagnosis made at the preparatory phase of the tourism sector strategy, Cameroon has, as at 30 May 2005, 1,521 classified hotels with 24,598 beds, and 223 potential tourist sites some of which are being developed. Furthermore, in 2005 the Technical Committee on Tourism Establishments authorised the construction of 31 new hotels and the opening of 23 others (including one four-star, one three-star, two two-star, and seventeen one-star hotels), 43 restaurants (including 33 non-classified ones), 5 tourist agencies and 2 recreational establishments.

134. The following actions were conducted for the promotion of standardisation and quality control: (i) 23 norms were adopted, i.e. 18 in 2004 and 5 in 2005; (ii) 22 companies were audited under the control of compulsory norms, 116 conformity certifications were issued to companies, including 66 in 2004 and 50 in 2005; (iii) the promotion of quality norms was conducted during the national quality week, the World Standardization Day, and during seminars and events on the promotion of quality; (iv) draft instruments have been prepared to create a Standards and Quality Control Board.

135. Concerning drafting a special policy on the promotion of subcontracting, results of the study on the potential of industrial subcontracting and industrial guilds are available, with the view of creating a Subcontracting and Industrial partnership Board in Cameroon, with the assistance of UNIDO. Consultations are underway to determine the legal status of the future Board. A think tank is also at work to establish a partnership platform with IPAD of Rouen, CRCIL of Lorraine, and la Maison d’entreprise of Auxerre. Besides, for the extension of ALUCAM an important aspect in the development of industrial partnership is being prepared, in order to ensure absorption of at least 30per cent of this project’s total expenditure by local SMEs/SMIs.

3.4.1 Basic infrastructure

148. Activities in the building and public works sector focused on: (i) the drafting of this sector’s strategy; (ii) routine and regular maintenance of the road network; (iii) investment operations as far as studies and road projects are concerned; and (iv) support to the private sector in the building and public works trade.

149. The building and public works sector strategy was completed in 2005 and validated by all stakeholders of the sector on 15 June 2005. The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) corresponding to this strategy was designed during the second half of 2005, with the assistance of an international consultant recruited to this effect by MINPLAPDAT, on a trust fund of the World Bank. The MTEF was presented to MINPLAPDAT and the World Bank on 16 November and 14 December 2005 respectively. It will be frequently updated based on achievements and actually recorded budgets.

150. As for road maintenance we notice that, in spite of the slash in total budgetary allocations of the ministry of Public Works in relation to PRSP projections (CFAF 74.987 thousand million in 2005, down from CFAF 92.4 thousand million, i.e. a 18.85 per cent drop), the budgetary allocation for road maintenance has maintained a steady increase. Therefore, road maintenance works were subject to contracts representing a total amount of CFAF 40.400 thousand million, i.e. 53.86 per cent of the ministry’s total 2005 budget (against 37.4 per cent in 2004, representing CFAF 29.46 thousand million). The significant increase in resources facilitated the programming of priority road network maintenance on a distance of 22,285 km, for a 75 per cent total execution rate.

151. As concerns investment operations, rehabilitation works on the Wouri bridge continued amounting to CFAF 15.407 thousand million, and have reached a 62 per cent execution rate shared as follows: 72per cent on the solid portion (works of the bridge over the river), 10 per cent on the conditional portion 1 (works of the bridge on the dead arm of the river), and 10 per cent on the conditional portion 2 (works of the sea wall and access roads). It is worth noting that works on conditional portions only started at the end of the second quarter of 2005, which reduced the project’s global execution rate. Moreover, the rehabilitation of the priority road network concerned 2,114 km of roads, comprising 138 km of tarred roads and 1,976 km of earth roads in rural areas. It should be noted that the total distance of rehabilitated roads has been on the increase since the start of PRSP implementation: 307km in 2003, 885 km in 2004, and 2114 km in 2005. Achievements in 2005 are twice the 2003 and 2004 achievements combined.

152. It should also be mentioned that tarring works have exceeded PRSP projections. Thus, for both the 2004 and 2005 financial years, the corresponding tarred shelf space is 482 km, as against the projected 254 km, which represents a more than 190 per cent execution rate. Yet the total shelf space of roads rehabilitated during the same period is 3,000 km for a 4140 km projection, representing a 72 per cent execution rate.

153. Beyond the execution of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting private sector development, a consultation platform between the ministry of Public Works and the private sector has been in existence since July 2004. This platform is a permanent forum for dialogue between the two parties, and should help identify and remove any impediment to private sector development.

154. In general, the Road Master Plan, whose final report was validated in December 2005 by the inter-ministerial steering committee created to this effect, the sector strategy and the MTEF of the building and public works sector henceforth offer a consistent and structured framework for the programming of actions in this highly sensitive sector.

155. Besides, infrastructure development in urban areas continued in 2005; 87 per cent of urban roads were maintained over the last two financial years in Cameroon’s 18 major towns, and 70 km of roads, including 10 km of tarred roads, were maintained in some secondary towns. Moreover, the rehabilitation of 75 km of urban roads planned for 2005, including 21 km in Yaounde is at the completion stage. The formalization by contract of the partnership between the State and decentralised local authorities went on with the signing of the Limbe town contract. Eight more contracts are under preparation or at the signing phase.

156. Actions in urban infrastructure development continued to be undertaken, notably with: (i) the classification of towns of less than 100,000 inhabitants, and selection of priority infrastructure projects; (ii) the promotion of the use of labour intensive (HIMO) techniques through: contribution to the preparation of a Strategy Declaration for the use of HIMO techniques in infrastructure works (study underway), and the creation of 665 jobs between July 2003 and July 2004 within the framework of HIMO techniques for the maintenance of secondary city roads and urban sanitation. Such techniques were used in the maintenance of 50 km of roads in Yaounde; (iii) the cleaning of primary drainage networks: this was done in Yaounde where river Mfoundi was cleared and widened on a distance of 2.5 km.

3.4.2 Information and Communication Technologies

157. The strategy on the development of telecommunications and ICTs was finalised and validated in 2005. The next step will focus on the preparation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the telecommunications and ICTs sector.

158. The execution of the project on the construction of comprehensive pilot community telecommunications centres is on course. A total of 10 buildings out of the 16 planned were delivered, including 7 in 2004 and 3 in 2005. Others are being finalised and will be delivered before the end of the first quarter of 2006. The internal equipment and furniture are available. Besides, some sixty youths were trained, some as managers and others as operators. The first tests were carried out in the Centre province at Makenene, and in the South province.

159. A decree by the head of State to promulgate law No 2005/013 of 29 December 2005 to amend and complete certain provisions of law No 98/014 of 14 July 1998 to govern the telecommunications sector in Cameroon, outlines who shall authorize the expenditure of the Telecommunications Special Fund, thus making the Fund operational. The signature by the head of State, on 1 November 2005, of a decree to fix conditions for the installation and payment by public administrations of telecommunications services, is a decisive step towards the setting up of an inter-ministerial communication network whose objective is to avoid having all state communications pass through private networks. The instrument laying down modalities for the organisation and functioning of the inter-ministerial committee in charge of controlling the use of telecommunications services by state personnel is being finalised.

160. As concerns the development of ICTs, thirty (30) licences authorising the provision of services and/or access to the Internet were issued in 2003, and nineteen (19) in 2004. As at December 2005, some sixty operators were providing Internet access and other added value services to the public. The Internet network has a six-node access point (POP) and 75 VSAT access points. The Internet user’s rate as at 31 December 2004 stands at 0.16 per cent of the population. A national survey prepared and launched by MINPOSTEL, in conjunction with the National Institute of Statistics, will help in the assessment of the level of penetration and use of ICTs in Cameroon. The creation of management bodies of the National Information and Communication Technologies Board (ANTIC) will boost activities in the sector by introducing a new impetus.

161. Significant efforts were made towards the amelioration of international connections with Cameroon using an optical fibre installed along the Doba-Kribi pipeline, with the opening in Douala of a land point of the SAT-3 sub-marine cable of a 2.5 Gbit/s capacity. The signing, in October 2005 of the memorandum of understanding between COTCO and the State of Cameroon, and retrocession to CAMTEL on 24 November 2005, of the twelve optical fibres contained in the cable installed along the Chad-Cameroon pipeline, will enable CAMTEL to activate exit points and extend the said fibre to all potential users. Government is planning to fully contribute to the establishment and development of a Principal Network in Central Africa, and to the realisation of a Trans-African Backbone stretching from the West to the East coast of the continent. The technical and financial bid for the conduct of a detailed feasibility study of this network has been submitted to the World Bank by the consultant AXIOM.

162. During implementation of the Minimum Investment Programme (MIP), CAMTEL ensured the installation of two digital exchanges in Yaounde and Douala, the digitalisation of some exchange and transmission lines, the creation of Internet access points, the execution of the prepayment platform, etc. The fixed density of telecommunications rose from 0.6% in 2003 to 0.7% in 2005. As concerns the exploitation of the wireless local ring in CDMA technology, CAMTEL in October 2005 received a block of 20,000 lines from ART; this enabled the corporation to launch its “CT phone” with evident success among customers. The extension and densification of this product will greatly increase the fixed density of telecommunications.

163. Furthermore, in 2005, about one million additional lines were put at the disposal of the two mobile phone operators, thus bringing the total number of lines up to about 3,300,000 for a density of 12.3 percent in 2005, as against 6.6 in 2003. The cumulative number of active subscribers of both mobile operators stands above two million. The turn-over of the sub-sector rose from CFAF 225 thousand million in 2003 up to CFAF 253 thousand million in 2004.

164. As for the establishment of the cryptology and certification system, the experimental platform of the system has been installed in MINPOSTEL, with the assistance of experts of the International Union of Telecommunications. The adoption of a legal and statutory framework will facilitate electronic transactions, including aspects relating to electronic signature, security and encryption.

3.4.3 Natural resource management

165. The drafting of the water sector strategy continued in 2005 with the diagnosis validation phase. Despite the absence of the sector strategy, efforts to ameliorate access to safe water continued through the implementation of water supply programmes such as the “Rural Water Supply II” programme. The densification of water supply programmes facilitated the construction or rehabilitation of 60 water points in 2005 as part of PADC or FIMEX projects.

166. In 2005, the government adopted a master plan for the development of means of production and transportation of electrical energy. The implementation of this master plan is underway. This plan will be backed by on-going works on the Energy Sector Development Plan (PDSE). Apart from the effective take-off in 2004 of the Limbe heavy fuel thermal station, electricity supply will increase, notably through the construction of the Memve’le electrical dam, for which the Central Africa States Development Bank has granted a loan worth CFA F 230 million for the updating of feasibility studies, the construction of which is due for 2009/2010. Also in view is the construction of the Lom Pangar dam, of which the environmental impact studies were submitted in Yaounde on 21 October 2005, and whose construction work is due completion in 2009; the Kribi power station which should become operational in 2008; the Colomines power station whose outline agreement relating to its funding, construction, and exploitation was signed on 13 December 2005, with construction works due to begin in 2007, and effective take-off of activities planned for 2008; the Nachtigal power plant to become operational in 2010; and the Bini Power station at Barak where the objective is to consolidate electricity supply in the northern Cameroon network, and which is to become operational in 2010.

167. Moreover, the government in 2005 produced, with support from development partners, the Energy plan of Action for Poverty Reduction (PANERP), whose global objective is to ameliorate access to energy in poverty reduction priority sectors. Such sectors include: education, health, rural water supply, female activities, social protection, agriculture, stockbreeding and fisheries. This plan targets among other actions: electrification by ERD of 228,300 homes, 150,000 new electrical connections by AES Sonel, development of 10 mini-hydraulic power plants and biomass, supply of electricity to 4,437 establishments including 1,308 in the field of education, 923 in health area, 1,843 and 205 safe water supply units in the agricultural sector, between 2006 and 2015.

168. As far as the mining industry is concerned, especially small-scale exploitation, 28 small-scale priority sites were identified in 6 provinces through the Support Framework for the promotion of Small-Scale Mining Industry (CAPAM). This also allowed the organisation and restructuring of 20 common initiative groups. Exploration and mapping activities prior to making Cameroon’s mining sector attractive, face difficulties inherent in mobilisation of funds. However, the year 2005 has seen the creation of a data bank on mining substances, as well as the identification of useful ones. Moreover, exploration permits were issued to CAMINCO for gold, to HYDROMINE Inc. for bauxite in the Adamawa, to STEEL CAM for iron at Kribi, and to CAM IRON for iron at Mbalam. A total of 10 exploration permits and one exploitation permit were issued.

169. Concerning the prevention of geological and industrial risks and disasters, the designing of Mount Cameroon’s cartography is under execution. Besides, the degassing of lakes Nyos and Monoun is carried out on a regular basis. Field visits to industrial sites were conducted as part of the plan to enhance inspection of hazardous industrial establishments (700 inspections in 2005 representing total revenue of about CFA F 700 million). Increased inspections of hazardous industrial sites also went on, with the finalisation of the draft decree on the environmental impact studies; the training of personnel in waste management and environmental assessment; the conduct of surveys, inspections and environmental audits of waste stations.

3.4.4 Environmental management

170 In the field of environmental management, government action focused on capacity-building, popularisation of the law on bio-security, and implementation of the plan of action on biological diversity. Therefore, workshops were organised on various topics relating to genetically modified organisms (GMO), including food and nutrition, risk management, information and communication. Concerning the popularisation of the law, some 300 copies of the law were distributed; the English version of the manual on GMO risk management and evaluation is now available. Implementation of the plan of action on bio-diversity continued with the establishment of the National Bio-diversity Committee and designation of its members, as well as the finalisation of the manual on risk evaluation and management. Besides, new protected areas were created and the development plans of all protected areas validated.

3.5.1 Trade

171. In order to develop domestic trade two core areas were envisaged by government authorities, in conjunction with the private sector and civil society, with a view to making domestic trade a key growth and poverty reduction instrument through: (a) the organisation of trading activity, and (b) consumer protection.

172 Actions engaged in the organisation of the trading activity aimed at reorganising the local market, organising, and ameliorating the distribution channels, and facilitating transactions.

173 Reorganisation of the local market consisted in implementation of actions aimed at guaranteeing sound competition, and secure state revenue through the creation of local committees to fight fraud, smuggling and counterfeiting.

174. Concerning the organisation and amelioration of distribution channels, as well as facilitation of transactions, measures were taken to control distribution channels, ensure regular supply to markets so to prevent artificial shortages and related inflation, increase output, trading activity and, consequently, farmers’ revenue.

175. Related priority actions undertaken by the government, in partnership with the private sector focused on: (i) creating and constructing whole-sale markets in the main production regions, so to facilitate the supply and demand, sustain the market for goods, control distribution channels and ensure transaction costs safety; (ii) developing border markets (Abang Minko, Kye Ossi, Mbaiboum, Limani) in order to increase the volume of transactions in the sub-region (CEMAC and Nigeria), ensure effective presence at borders of our products, and promote exports of such products; (iii) removing impediments to free movement and trade (red tapes, and police harassment on our roads and markets), so to reduce transaction costs and the period of circulation of goods.

176. Other actions currently underway are expected to continue; such actions include: building the capacities of actors in the sector, organising and cleaning markets in major towns, establishing a national system of information on the quantities of products available and prices per region, developing transport and communication infrastructure, and finalising the map of seasonal markets.

177. Actions undertaken to ensure better consumer protection were geared towards health security and preservation of the consumer’s purchase power. Government also took a number of measures concerning, the preparation, ratification and control of presentation, conservation and distribution standards on staples; enforcement and control of standards on building materials; and in the future, the updating of the statutory framework of the market for second-hand goods, including vehicles, clothes, and household appliances. As far as preserving the purchasing power is concerned, actions to raise public awareness have been carried out on a regular basis in order to ensure effective enforcement of regulations relating to prices, weights and measures.

178. Regarding foreign trade, the government’s policy complied with a strategy to support diversification of exports, promote and boost foreign trade, and facilitate transactions.

179. Actions carried out by the government to diversify exports aimed finally to reduce dependence on staples that are vulnerable to price instability (6 products represent 80per cent of our exports), increasing exports of manufacturing goods with a high added value, and diversifying our partnership.

180. The overall aim of the strategy on the diversification of foreign trade was to identify products with high sale potential, products that are dynamic on the international market, and whose development would contribute to improving our exports. This was done through identification and promotion of products with high export potential, notably products from organic agriculture, and through identification of new markets with good prospects for our products (Brazil, Gulf countries, etc.).

181. Concerning the promotion and boosting of foreign trade, the government’s concern was to introduce, in partnership with the private sector, a more aggressive policy to conquer foreign markets. Several initiatives were therefore taken, including participation in, and organisation of international trade fairs and other events; participation in trade negotiations; creation of an economic information and documentation centre; and the establishment and management of commercial information gates at the CCIMA.

182. With EU assistance, a business promotion programme on competitiveness is being developed in view of the liberalisation of markets by 2008 as ACP/EU preferential trade agreements wind up in the future.

183. However, for foreign trade to contribute efficiently to growth and poverty reduction, the government and private sector are poised to continue or engage the following actions: (i) renewing AGOA; (ii) ensuring better participation of Cameroon in multilateral trade negotiations, as part of the economic partnership regional agreements; (iii) implementing the provisions of the Investment Charter, particularly those relating to the promotion of exports; (iv) consolidating Cameroon’s diplomatic missions abroad, so to make them veritable shop windows for products made in Cameroon; (v) organising specialised trade fairs, promotional days and meetings, as was the case with Promote in December 2005 in Yaounde, where over 700 companies of various origins were present.

184. Future actions include: (i) consolidating trade cooperation in the sub-region, notably through the signing of trade agreements with neighbouring Nigeria; (ii) organising canvassing and promotional missions in the CEMAC/CEEAC zone, and Nigeria; (iii) establishing a mechanism to finance foreign trade and promote e-trade.

3.5.2 Regional integration

185. Regional integration in CEMAC, and increasingly in CEEAC, is one of the key implementation areas of development policy, and has a rich growth potential yet to be exploited. Besides, proximity with Nigeria is sufficient reason to develop special relations with this neighbouring country, in order to seize and take advantage of the numerous existing or potential opportunities. These two important geo-political blocs, by virtue of their demography and rich natural resources, represent two economic areas likely to boost growth and mutual development through regional integration.

186. A lot of progress has been made over the past three years. As regards budgetary policy, for instance, sustained efforts to adjust and modernise public finance enabled Cameroon to meet almost all convergence criteria of the CEMAC multilateral monitoring committee. As a matter of fact, in the 2005 financial year: (i) the basic budgetary balance was positive (CFAF 341.6 thousand million, i.e. 3.9 per cent of 2005 estimated GDP); (ii) the inflation rate stood at 1.5 per cent, below the community standard rate of 3 per cent; (iii) the national debt stock-GDP ratio stood at 53 per cent, also below the community standard rate of 70 per cent; (iv) the Treasury had no payment arrears for 2005, as both domestic and foreign debt servicing were hitch-free through out the year.

187. As concerns monetary policy, the new regulations on exchange have become effective, and transfer of know-how from public administration to commercial banks in management of international transactions has become a reality.

188. In the area of finance policy, the reform of the payment system is about to be completed; regional legislation on micro-finance establishments is enforced; the Douala Stock Exchange has become operational.

189. The financial situation of BDEAC has been improved through institutional reforms carried out as member States, including Cameroon, endeavoured to honour their commitments, notably capital reconstitution and appointment of officials. This has enabled BDEAC, one of whose major priority objectives is to promote regional integration, plan for the allocation of 40 per cent of its assistance budget to community infrastructure programmes.

190. As concerns commercial policies, the government has opted for the facilitation of foreign trade, and reduction of costs and port transit times. These measures include the streamlining of procedures within the single processing window for foreign trade; and safety and reduction of police check-points along the corridors. The positive effects of these actions were revealed in a statement made by businesses. In an endeavour to help land-locked CEMAC countries, Cameroon, through a number of agreements and conventions signed with such countries, has introduced a series of measures to facilitate the flow of their goods to and/or from the Douala port.

191. On the initiative of Cameroon’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Executive Secretary of CEMAC, consular chambers of CEMAC member States adopted in August 2004 in Douala the internal rules and regulations of the Conference of CEMAC consular chambers member countries. The implementation of its roadmap was launched in early 2005.

192. Regarding road infrastructure, actions planned for the CEMAC integrating priority road network continued with the execution of construction works on many roads, which as at today have been completed, or are on course. For some others, studies have ended or started. Therefore, the inauguration of the Ntem Bridge and roads linking Ambam (South of Cameroon) to Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon is proof of the Cameroon Government’s good will to accelerate sub-regional integration. Furthermore, the launching of studies on the construction of the road aimed at linking OUESSO (North of Congo) to Sangmelima (South of Cameroon) falls within the same framework. Construction works on the Ngaoundere-Touboro-Moundou road (border with Chad) have been completed, as well as those for the construction of the Makabaye Bridge in Maroua (Douala-N’jamena corridor). The future completion of rehabilitation works on the Wouri bridge, studies for the construction of a new bridge over river Wouri, as well as the launching of works for the construction of the Moungo bridge are all part of efforts to ameliorate the state of infrastructure to facilitate regional integration which has, for a long time, been suffering from the lack or poor state of communication infrastructure.

193. In sea transport, reform of the port sector has been completed, and the concession process of commercial port activities is now a reality. Besides, studies on the development of a deep-sea port in Kribi are also completed. Feasibility studies on the Limbe Bridge were conducted with support from the US administration.

194. As regards air transport, the process to create a sub-regional air company (Air CEMAC) continued with the selection of a strategic partner (Royal air Maroc), and validation of its development plan. Besides, sub-regional air coverage by private national companies (Air Service, Nacam, Toumaïir Chad) has helped meet the high demand in this area.

195. With aim of promoting greater integration of goods and capital markets, the reduction (by a maximum of 20per cent) of foreign common tariffs and the number of classes of products (from 5 to 4), and enforcement of a common investment charter within the CEMAC zone were achieved.

196. As concerns energy, the project to inter-connect the electrical networks in the CEEAC sub-region, received support from the international financial community, including the ADB and EU.

197. In the area of information and communication technologies (ICTs), the government pledged to contribute to establishing and developing a Principal Network in Central Africa and realising a Trans-African Backbone stretching from the West to the East coasts. The technical and financial bid for the conduct of a detailed feasibility study of this network was submitted to the World Bank by the consultant AXIOM. The network will enable Central Africa to integrate the global optic ring.

198. Within the Conference of Ministers in charge of Forests in Central Africa (COMIFAC), the government facilitated consultations through exchange forums bringing together actors in the sector (WWF, WB, UNDP, civil society, FAO, private sector) and better management of available environmental information (collection, management, analysis and distribution of information). Moreover, the government continued harmonising policies on agriculture in CEMAC countries, namely the phytosanitary policy, and locust control, and sponsored two projects on food security adopted within CEEAC.

199. As concerns training, the introduction of a training programme for statisticians and economists, and the inauguration of new buildings at the Advanced Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISSEA) falls within the context of the capacity-building of sub-regional training institutions.

200. Concerning the control of great pandemics and HIV/AIDS, CEEAC heads of State adopted a strategic framework and a plan of action to fight HIV/AIDS in January 2004. In this regard, a Regional Fund supplied with levies on revenue from the Community Contribution for Integration, was created to finance this plan of action.

201. As far as NEPAD is concerned, Cameroon appointed its own representatives in the coordination committee set up by heads of State in January 2004, for its implementation under the coordination of the Executive Secretariat of CEEAC, NEPAD’s focal point in Central Africa.

3.6.1 Implementing the health strategy

202. Government continued implementing the health strategy adopted in October 2001. The health sector MTEF was updated. Significant results were recorded in 2005 in the various programmes on disease control selected for this purpose.

203. Malaria remains the principal endemics and main cause of morbidity and mortality among vulnerable groups. As part of the national anti-malaria plan, emphasis was laid on prevention, with special attention paid to the protection of pregnant women and children below 5. This measure was made concrete through the training of personnel in the treatment of mosquito nets, and their distribution to target groups. A total of 59,215 treated mosquito nets were thus distributed to children below the age of 5, and a memorandum of understanding is under discussion with the ministry of Basic Education to reach nursery school children. More than 300 000 mosquito nets were distributed in 2005 to pregnant women. Globally, 2,173 community workers received training in 2005, as against 2,073 in 2004. Besides, 59,750 pregnant women received periodical preventive treatment during their antenatal consultations. In the area of communication 100,000 leaflets were produced and distributed, while 10 provincial NGOs signed contracts with the ministry of Public Health for the development of community information activities.

204. STIs/AIDS control intensified through public awareness campaigns targeting risk groups such as lorry drivers, the military, and prostitutes. 37 million condoms were distributed through Provincial Pharmaceutical Supply Centres (PPSC), the Social Marketing Programme and other NGOs, against 30 million only in 2003. Conventions were signed with religious denominations for a total of CFAF 1,997,000,000 to carry out public awareness activities. In order to guarantee access by AIDS patients to treatment, the government reduced the cost of laboratory tests, from CFAF 16,000 down to CFA 3,000 per individual and on a semi annual basis, to meet expectations of patients. As at today 19 prevention and voluntary screening centres are operational, 905 assistant workers have been recruited and 53,538 people screened. 24 approved treatment centres and 63 follow-up units monitor patients receiving ARV drugs. Execution in 2004 of PHS III provided updated information on sero-prevalence in the country.

205. Emphasis is put on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT), by training and establishing a pool of trainers and provincial supervisors, the preparation of an integrated communication plan, and the supply of PMCT sites with reagents and inputs. ARV costs have been maintained at CFAF 3,000 and 7,000 monthly.

206. The programme on tuberculosis control focused on the rehabilitation and construction of screening and treatment centres. Thus, 167 of such centres were created nationwide, and they are regularly supplied with drugs. The national communication plan on TB control is available. Control missions are regularly despatched to the field to make sure that treatment is actually free of charge.

207. To ensure effective disease prevention, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was aimed at better developing the immunization and epidemiological monitoring system. The programme was restructured for better visibility and efficiency. Moreover, EPI introduced the vaccine against the viral hepatitis B. Five rounds of vaccination against poliomyelitis were carried out in 2005. The vaccination coverage rate for DTC3 stood at 75per cent, up from 65.4 per cent in 2004, while the coverage rate for measles increased from 64.8 per cent to 65 per cent. 51per cent of children aged between 12 to 23 months received BCG vaccine, 40 per cent were immunized against measles, and 39 per cent against yellow fever.

208. Concerning reproductive health, a national programme was designed to reduce infant and maternal mortality. In this regard, 102 personnel were trained in basic emergency neonatal obstetrical care, as against 24 in 2004.

209. The National Centre for the Supply of Essential Drugs (CENAME), which was created in June 2005, ensures the supply of essential drugs and medical devices through wholesalers. Control of river blindness intensified with the training of district assistance teams, and geographical coverage rate reached 75 per cent.

210. SAMU activities were reinforced in Yaounde and Douala. To ameliorate health services 89 community-based health centres, 20 sub-divisional medical centres, 46 district hospitals, and 3 district health services were rehabilitated.

211. Concerning food and nutrition, the national policy paper on nutrition and the 2005 action plan were validated. Children’s growth is monitored in every health establishment.

212. In spite of persistent inadequacy of human, material and financial resources compared with the numerous health needs, significant progress was made in disease prevention and control, including increased care of patients, training of personnel, and amelioration of infrastructure.

3.6.2 Education

213. The education sector budget (MINEDUB, MINESEC, MINEFOP, MINESUP) dropped from CFAF 300.2 thousand million in 2004 to CFAF 264.1 thousand million in 2005. HIPC funds amount to CFAF 16.66 thousand million. These budgetary allocations were in priority earmarked for: (i) the construction and equipment of 3,768 primary school classrooms from 2001 and 2005, and 1,498 classrooms by development partners (Japan, ADB, and IDB); (ii) the rehabilitation of 358 secondary school classrooms and construction of 216 new classrooms. Moreover, 1,700 contract teachers were recruited in 2005, while 987 new graduates of the Advanced Teachers’ Training Colleges (Secondary and High School Teachers), and primary education teachers training schools were included on the State’s pay roll.

214. Implementation of the education sector strategy went on satisfactorily through rational and decentralised management of personnel, using appropriate computer equipment and applications. Capacity-building for MINEDUB and MINESEC personnel in charge of the management of these decentralised structures continued, and the payroll was screened, per province and per category of personnel. An administrative reorganisation was initiated to make decentralisation in the management of teachers more effective.

215. In order to increase the number of teachers, absorption of contract teachers in primary and technical secondary education will be done progressively, depending on the funds available. Other measures will include: (i) suspending salaries of certain personnel to ensure efficient management by every ministerial department of their respective human resource careers; (ii) improving working conditions by limiting professional transhumance, which is exacerbated by the absence of career profiles; (iii) ensuring multi-disciplinary training of student teachers; (iv) defining working positions in accordance with available organisation charts; (v) continuing implementation of the special status of teachers by paying their research and documentation allowances, and more especially by instituting special allowances for staff transferred to Education Priority Areas (EPAs), with the highest teacher deficits depending on the funds available.

216. To improve quality and access to secondary education, the government, constructed or rehabilitated 574 classrooms, 140 workshops for various special fields, and 51 secondary schools in 2005.

217. The provision of education to 206 physically handicapped persons in 2005 was ensured by the private education sector, as part of assistance to, and integration of under-privileged groups.

218. Over 168 computers were acquired and equipment was consolidated in close to 300 schools. Many teachers and pedagogic inspectors, both of the public and private sectors, were trained in the Competency-based Approach (CBA), aimed at making education more professional. Also, the capacities of public and private school officials were built in an effort to make them more professional in their administrative and pedagogic supervision of educational institutions.

219. In view of the important role education plays in human resource development, in general, and poverty alleviation in particular, the government designed a global education sector strategy in 2005 (covering the 2005–2015 period), in accordance with the recommendations of the Education For All declaration (Dakar 2000) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The draft version of this strategy has been available since December 2005.

220. MINEDUB and MINESEC MTEFs have been designed. They comprise three strategic action areas, namely: (i) ameliorating access and quality, while reducing regional disparities, and emphasizing the accessibility and availability of school manuals and didactic materials, professional education, HIV/AIDS control; (ii) capacity-building (infrastructure and human resources), by insisting on support, and development of efficient partnership, as well as integrating vocational training; (iii) institutional strengthening, notably amelioration of the management process, good governance, and fighting corruption in schools.

221. Globally, the performances of the educational system have improved. In secondary education, exam results recorded an 18-point average increase. The same increase rate was recorded in primary education. At the primary level of education, the female/male parity index rose from 0.85 in 2003 to 0.9 in 2005 and is proof of sexual equality, which is limited by high costs of direct opportunities, as well as persistent socio-economic and cultural constraints. In this regard, efforts are made by the government to be eligible for the Fast Track Initiative on Education for All.

222. Examination of schooling profiles shows a steady amelioration since 2002. One can notice some significant progress of 0.6 in comparison with 2003, in the trend of access to primary education (96.4 per cent in 2004). We also note a high demographic pressure in the first cycle of secondary education, whose slow absorption of the number of students is shown through a transition rate (from primary to secondary education) of about 56 per cent. The school retention rate at the end of the primary education cycle has undergone significant improvement, up from 55.4 per cent in 2003, to 56 per cent in 2004, and 57.4%per cent in 2005.

223. There is still much concern about the issue of class repeating. The class repeating rate revolves around 26 per cent in the French-speaking sub-system, against 17per cent in the English-speaking sub-system. These figures show a difference in the two learning and evaluation cultures. This situation impedes the smooth functioning of school institutions at a time there are no sufficient financial resources. The ministerial order on the reduction of class repeating in the three sub-cycles of primary education is being amended with a view to clarify its objectives and ensure application of related measures.

3.6.3 Employment and Vocational Training

224. The government intends to continue developing a policy on the promotion of employment and vocational training. In this regard, the first ever general conference on employment was held in November 2005, which attempted a diagnosis of the prevailing employment situation in Cameroon, set a basis for the finalisation of Government’s declaration and the national employment policy, and create general mobilisation over the employment issue.

225. Similarly, the main report on the employment and informal sector survey has been completed and distributed, as concerns the employment component. The survey produced the following results:

• - the activity rate of people aged not less than ten years stands at 71.1 per cent and overshadows the broad disparity according to region or area of residence, as well as according to age and sex;

• - the rate of unemployment, according to ILO standards stands at 4.4 per cent and this is mainly an urban phenomenon (10.7%); in a broader sense (ILO job seekers + discouraged job seekers), this rate is 6.2 per cent;

• - visible under-employment concerns people who are obliged to work less than 35 hours a week; they make up 12.7 per cent of the gainfully employed working population;

• - invisible under-employment concerns workers with remuneration below the guaranteed minimum working week (the equivalent of CFAF 23 500 per month for 40 hours of work per week) and revolves around 69.3 per cent;

• - the employment structure according to gender shows a degree of equilibrium between the men (50.9%) and the women (49.1%);

• - the average lifespan in a job is 9.1 years and the period is higher in rural areas (more than 10 years) than in urban areas (6 years);

• - the informal sector provides the highest number of opportunities for economic integration with a 90.4 per cent gainfully employed working population as against 4.9 per cent in the public sector and 4.7 per cent in the formal private sector;

• - the primary sector with 55.7 per cent employs most Cameroonians as against 31.9 per cent for the tertiary and 14.1 per cent for the secondary sector.

226. NEF activities have also been monitored with regard to social and occupational integration of youth in salaried and independent job opportunities. They are notably: (i) the partnership agreement signed by the government with GICAM; (ii) the integration of job seekers; and (iii) conventions with vocational training centres and some enterprises for the validation of training modules.

3.6.4 Other social policies

227. They have been incorporated into the Social Development Strategy which was completed in 2005. What remains to be done is the ministerial strategies that underlie it as well as the various draft instruments relating to violence against women to be examined and validated after adoption of the family code. The latter will be adapted to the code of criminal procedure, to the OHADA uniform acts and to the child protection code.

3.6.5 Urban poverty

228. For the finalization of the urban development strategy, the activities carried out so far have made it possible to produce an urban diagnosis paper, validated in November 2005 and an interim urban sector development strategy paper drafted as part of preparations for the Donors Round Table Conference scheduled for March 2006. Besides, consultation talks have been held by actors in the housing sector. The formalization by contract of partnership between the State, decentralized public authorities and secondary urban centres became effective with the signing of the Limbe urban contract and preparation of those of Yaounde and Douala. As regards urban planning and in accordance with Cameroon’s law on town planning passed in 2003, the Development and Town Planning Master Scheme (DTPMS) and Local Master Plans (LMP) in Yaounde were updated. Similarly, the Ngaoundere and Limbe Town Planning Master Plans (TPMS) are being updated.

229. With regard to the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, eighty-seven kilometres of roads were maintained in 2003 and 2004 in 16 major towns and seventy kilometres of which ten kilometres of tarred roads in secondary towns. Moreover, in the 2005 financial year, seventy-five kilometres of urban roads of which twenty-one in Yaounde were rehabilitated. The government obtained funding assistance from IDA (the World Bank) worth CFAF 42000 million for a programme to rehabilitate twenty-three kilometres of primary roads in Douala (work underway), and the full loan was handed over to the Douala City Council.

230. Moreover, primary drainage networks were cleaned up, the Mfoundi River was gauged again over a distance of 2.5 kilometres, primary drains in Douala were cleaned up in neighbourhoods such as Banya, Bepanda, Ndogpassi, N’goua, Tongo Bassa, Bonaberi. With a view to designing a practical poverty alleviation plan, special studies have been identified and carried out. In the area of multilateral cooperation with UNO-HABITAT, an Urban Governance Programme has been developed and rests on three aspects: consultation of the towns, safer towns and training of local councillors.

3.7.1 Public affairs management: transparency, information, accountability

232. The main measures under implementation consist in continuing the effort to adjust public spending channels, improve social sector management, produce and disseminate statistical information and inform citizens on public affairs management.

233. In order to improve the quality and effectiveness of public spending, the government has carried out the survey on monitoring public spending and satisfying beneficiary needs in education and health. This has been referred to by the public expenditure tracking survey. This survey has resulted in an action plan whose implementation will lead to the compulsory information by vote holders of beneficiary populations as to the investments to be carried out and production of at least a report at the end of every financial year. Similarly, work on keeping records on the management of public funds started in order to produce financial and accounting records to be used by the Audit Bench.

234. Reform of the public contracts awarding system ended with publication of a public contracts code in September 2005 and its implementation circular in June 2005. The popularization of this code started with an awareness campaign in each provincial headquarters. A bidders’ guide was also produced to enable this category of people to better understand the procedure involved in the awarding of public contracts. The contracts awarded and/or executed in 2003 were audited, and audit work started on those awarded in 2004 in October 2005. An overall review of the public contracts awarding system took place in 2005 and its recommendations are under implementation.

A survey on penalties and corruption in the area of public contracts was also conducted in 2005. The study helped identify some weaknesses to which solutions will be found in 2006. Finally, provisions have been made in the 2006 finance law to limit or eradicate the fragmentation of contracts

235. Improvement in public spending also resulted in better mastery of the wage bill, by adjusting the salary data base. In this regard, the irregularities identified in the implementation of SIGIPES (stabilization of SIGIPES) were redressed in the four pilot ministries and new functions are being developed. The stabilized version has been introduced in 11 (eleven) other ministries. However, emphasis has been laid on adjusting the personnel data base and early results suggest that from 2003 to 2005, about 3 000 presumed ghost workers were on the State’s payroll. Cases of fraud have been reported on the hiring of staff and career development. Investigation is on-going and workers found guilty so far have been placed on retirement, erased from the payroll, suspended from entitlement to a salary or referred to the public service Disciplinary Board. Some of them have been requested to repay unduly collected monies. Penalties levied against unscrupulous workers have regularly been published. Measures were taken to reinforce security of the wage software. More specifically, an invitation to tender has been launched for the recruitment of an expert responsible for the change-over of the ANTILOPE software.

236. In the area of public finance, it is worth noting that the measures taken so far have helped the government to save money from the wage bill.

237. Besides, the authorities abided by the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the mining sector. Against this backdrop and besides the establishment of the Monitoring and Implementation Committee’s technical secretariat following the principles of this Initiative, an action plan has been drawn up and adopted using the participatory approach. It includes the presentation of data on oil production and regular publication of reports.

238. Increased transparency in public finance management measures have also resulted in the auditing of public and semi-public corporations, public administrative establishments, accounting offices and subsidized bodies. In the forestry sector, measures relating to the issuance of the timber exploiter’s licence, the fight against illegal exploitation and forestry development are on course. In this regard, the list of valid exploiter’s licences and that of companies facing legal charges are published regularly in the press. A study on citizens’ access to information on public affairs management has been conducted and the interim report is available.

239. Finally, when the social organs of the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) are established, besides the appointment of the director general and deputy director general, the production and dissemination of statistical data will improve.

3.7.2 Strengthening the rule of law and the safety and security of businesses

240. A priority action plan to reform the judicial system is under implementation. It comprises three aspects: (i) consolidating judicial independence; (ii) stepping up the anti-corruption drive in the justice system; (iii) improving the application of laws, court decisions and penalties. In this regard, beside the enactment of the law on the criminal procedures code, the following actions were carried out, namely: the training of judicial and para judicial staff in the OHADA law, and of court registrars in the use of computer equipment. The 2006 budget for the ministry in charge of Justice has increased so to speed up implementation of the judicial reforms action plan.

241. Considerable progress has been made with regard to the establishment of institutions provided for in the 18 January 1996 Constitution. The Audit Bench has gone operational; accounts of the 2004 financial year are being examined and evaluated. As regards the Constitutional Council, the Laws on its organization and functioning as well as internal rules and regulations governing its members were enacted in April 2004. The decree to set up the Secretariat General of the Constitutional Council was signed in June 2005.

242. The safety and security of people and property has considerably improved with the passing of four laws in March 2004 authorizing the president of the Republic to ratify (i) the United Nations convention on organized trans-national crime; the memorandum for the prevention, elimination and punishment of human trafficking (women and children), (iii) the memorandum on illicit land, maritime and air migrants, (iv) the law fixing the rate of legal interest in the execution of court rulings and conventional legal interest. Several measures and actions are also being implemented through specific rapid intervention activities carried out by the forces of law and order as part of the fight against violent crime.

3.7.3 Anti-corruption drive

243. The anti-corruption drive has been outstanding since April 2003 with the setting up of some bodies and mechanisms. In this regard, an institutional framework has been designed with an inter-ministerial committee at the summit and ministerial units at the base. Moreover, the legal anti-corruption tools were improved with the ratification of United Nations conventions against corruption and money laundering.

244. The Government has also created the National Financial Investigation Board (ANIF), a financially autonomous public body. Among other missions, this institution is responsible for receiving, processing, and referring information needed to punish people guilty of money laundering and/or funding terrorism to the competent judicial and legal authorities.

245. These services have been made even more efficient with the reorganization of all the ministries through granting more powers to inspectorates general and establishing sub-departments of Reception, Mail and Liaison, thus reducing contact points between office workers and public service users. The administrative procedures manuals being drafted will enhance efficiency and efficacy by introducing clearly laid down norms, and the user’s guide will be a source of information for citizens on the conditions to be fulfilled, documents to submit, file processing time limits, instruments applicable and terms and conditions to be fulfilled. The penalties applied and published, particularly in the judicial and legal sector (02 judicial and legal officers dismissed), the police force, education, finance, public works and public and semi-public bodies are also proof of the government’s resolve to eradicate or considerably reduce corruption. All these measures, combined with increased public awareness campaigns of which the second phase is nationwide and has been launched, have improved the yearly corruption perception index in Cameroon calculated by Transparency International.

3.7.4 Decentralization and increased local level development

246. Decentralization is underway, particularly with the passing in July 2004 of the outline law on decentralization, the law to lay down rules and regulations governing regions, and the law to outline same applicable to councils. An action implementation plan (2005–2009) has been drawn up. The sector—based accounting plan for councils has been adopted; measures for the capacity-building of mayors and council staff were taken at the 2004 National Colloquium of mayors on the fringe of Africity; there are a series of training sessions underway for council staff. The Special Council Support Fund (FEICOM) has been audited and an action plan for restructuring this institution is under implementation.

247. Moreover, the urban governance programme has, inter alia, helped in: (i) the capacity-building of national and local actors of twenty-three councils in the formulation and implementation of council poverty reduction strategies, (ii) the development of local skills in the cities of Yaounde and Douala, in the fight against urban delinquency and (iii) enabled councillors and council staff in eight provinces to better assume their responsibilities, taking into account the decentralization and democratization process. As at today, seven hundred councillors and senior council staff have been trained for the planned nine hundred and thirty of them. Finally, the PUG steering committee has been established.

4.2.1 Access to housing

256. Access to housing based on measurement of the rate of households who own the houses they live in has decreased due to rapid urbanization (the urban area selected for this analysis concerns towns with a population not less than 50 000).

Table 1:

Trend of household accessibility to housing (in %)

Sources: ECAM II: EESI – NIS

Table 1:

Trend of household accessibility to housing (in %)

Access indicators	2001			2005
	urban	rural	Total	urban	Rural	Total
Households owning their houses	37.7	76.6	63.0	36.0	71.9	59.2
Flush toilets	18.1	1.5	7.3	16.4	1.7	6.9
Permanent flooring material	88.4	28.2	49.2	87.7	35.7	54.2
Permanent wall material	51.8	9.6	24.4	60.6	19.9	34.3
Permanent roofing material	99.5	66.3	77.9	99.4	68.8	79.6
Air conditioner	1.9	0.2	0.8	1.7	0.1	0.7

Sources: ECAM II: EESI – NIS

View Table

Table 1:

Trend of household accessibility to housing (in %)

Access indicators	2001			2005
	urban	rural	Total	urban	Rural	Total
Households owning their houses	37.7	76.6	63.0	36.0	71.9	59.2
Flush toilets	18.1	1.5	7.3	16.4	1.7	6.9
Permanent flooring material	88.4	28.2	49.2	87.7	35.7	54.2
Permanent wall material	51.8	9.6	24.4	60.6	19.9	34.3
Permanent roofing material	99.5	66.3	77.9	99.4	68.8	79.6
Air conditioner	1.9	0.2	0.8	1.7	0.1	0.7

Sources: ECAM II: EESI – NIS

257. As regards housing equipment, the material used for flooring, covering the walls and roofing has improved, while the installation of flush toilets and air conditioners regressed in 2005 as compared to 2001. In conclusion, though major building construction works have improved, convenience installations have not, due obviously to the consideration of recurrent charges engendered by such works.

4.2.2 Access to water, electricity, gas and the telephone

258. The proportion of households with access to safe drinking water increased from 51 per cent in 2001 to 57 per cent in 2005. The situation has been improving steadily since 1996, when the proportion stood at 44 per cent. The average annual progression of 1.2 points between 1996 and 2001, and more than 1.5 points between 2001 and 2005, is another glaring proof, which may at least be partially accounted for by the rehabilitation of many boreholes in the Northern part of the country, and construction of new wells using HIPC funds. In order to reach the government-targeted 71 per cent access by 2015, the present rate if confirmed should increase by 1.5 points per year. There is hence a need for sustained effort to be made in the extension of the water supply system and maintenance of the existing facilities.

Table 2:

Trend of household accessibility to some housing conveniences (in %)

Sources: ECAM II; EDS-III; EESI – NIS

Table 2:

Trend of household accessibility to some housing conveniences (in %)

Conveniences	1996	2001	2005
Safe drinking water	44.2	50.5	56.5
Electricity lighting system	37.0	46.1	54.4
Land telephone line		1.7	1.5
Mobile telephone line		7.6	32.1
Cooking gas	7.9	13.4	16.2

Sources: ECAM II; EDS-III; EESI – NIS

View Table

Table 2:

Trend of household accessibility to some housing conveniences (in %)

Conveniences	1996	2001	2005
Safe drinking water	44.2	50.5	56.5
Electricity lighting system	37.0	46.1	54.4
Land telephone line		1.7	1.5
Mobile telephone line		7.6	32.1
Cooking gas	7.9	13.4	16.2

Sources: ECAM II; EDS-III; EESI – NIS

259. During the period 1996–2001 the proportion of households using electricity as lighting source increased; the situation continued to improve between 2001 and 2005, showing an annual progression rate of about 2 per cent. In 2005, slightly more than 5 for every 10 households used electricity, representing 9 for every 10 households in urban areas against 3.5 for every 10 in the rural areas.

260. From the consumption rate of cooking gas, it is evident that this fuel is used mostly by urban households. During the 1996–2005 period, regular increases in the prices of petroleum products did not deter households from using gas, the access rate to which continues to improve steadily. Access to cooking gas continued to improve especially in 2005 when supply increased in the Far North province following the installation of a cooking gas bottling factory in this area.

261. With various telephone services now available a new market structure has ensued. While access to land telephone lines remains stagnant, there has been a leap in the rate of access to mobile lines, which has increased from 7.6 per cent in 2001 to 32.1 per cent in 2005. However, these rates are a far cry from what obtains on the market, as the number of subscribers to the mobile telephone per household in the urban area exceeds two.

4.2.3 Household acquisition of consumer durables

262. The trend of household acquisition of consumer durables between 1996 and 2005 is expected to be a pointer to the standard of living during the period under review. On examining the three data sources, namely ECAM I, ECAM II and EESI, it appears on the whole that households now acquired more consumer durables than before.

263. The overall progress should however not overshadow the disparity between urban and rural areas, and condition of some of the equipment.

264. The rate of bicycle, television set, fan and gas plate possession first improved steadily between 1996 and 2001 for the first two cases, and for all four cases during the 2001 - 2005 period. These articles seem to be the most appreciated by the majority of households, notably middle class households.

265. During the two periods under review, access to a motorcycle, vehicle and radio set witnessed a slump during the first period (1996–2001), but improved during the second period (2001 – 2005). The liberalization of the audiovisual sector is reported to have momentarily raised interest in television to the detriment of the radio, but a balance was struck by the difference in the prices of the two products. As regards access to the television set, increasingly falling prices for digital cable TV service is reported to have encouraged households to buy television sets. Concerning the bicycle and motorcycle, the development of cheaper private transport (bicycle) and proximity public transport (motorcycle) is said to have been responsible for the boom in this sector during the 2001–2005 period. This is clear evidence of adjustment in the behavioural patterns of households.

Table 3:

Trends of household accessibility to some consumer durables (in %)

Sources: ECAM I; ECAM II; EESI – NIS

Table 3:

Trends of household accessibility to some consumer durables (in %)

Type of consumer durables	1996	2001	2005
Bicycle	12.6	12.7	16.6
Motorcycle	6.0	4.0	6.6
Motor vehicle/lorry	4.8	3.6	4.9
Television	17.3	18.7	28.2
Radio	57.9	54.7	63.5
Refrigerator	12.5	9.5	9.3
Deep freezer		4.0	3.8
Fan		16.8	20.9
Musical set		7.2	7.8
Gas plate		12.9	17.4
Gas cooker		7.2	6.5

Sources: ECAM I; ECAM II; EESI – NIS

View Table

Table 3:

Trends of household accessibility to some consumer durables (in %)

Type of consumer durables	1996	2001	2005
Bicycle	12.6	12.7	16.6
Motorcycle	6.0	4.0	6.6
Motor vehicle/lorry	4.8	3.6	4.9
Television	17.3	18.7	28.2
Radio	57.9	54.7	63.5
Refrigerator	12.5	9.5	9.3
Deep freezer		4.0	3.8
Fan		16.8	20.9
Musical set		7.2	7.8
Gas plate		12.9	17.4
Gas cooker		7.2	6.5

Sources: ECAM I; ECAM II; EESI – NIS

266. Access to the gas cooker, refrigerator and deep freezer is generally decreasing. The reduction in the rate of access to the gas cooker and increase in the rate of access to cooking gas is a confirmation of improvement in the rate of access of households to the gas plate, as the latter is a good substitute for the former.; again, households have been noted to be adjusting to a situation where their purchasing power is low. The downward trend of the rate of access of households to the refrigerator and deep freezer may be seen not only as a means of avoiding recurrent charges, particularly at a time when electricity rates are rising, but also be partially attributed to the fact that these entities tend to be reducing in size, since smaller households do not need economies of scale related to their possession of such goods.

4.2.4 Urban poverty

267. On the whole, urban poverty affects close to 2 million people, concentrated mostly in the cities of Yaounde and Douala. Income poverty is reported to be even more severe in these areas, taking into account the other dimensions of the living environment of the population in correlation with income levels. In fact, close to half of the households in Yaounde and Doula are not directly connected to electricity and three quarters do not have individual access to safe water. The high population density of neuralgic neighbourhoods and smallness of dwellings have many effects on the level of basic infrastructure affecting the health of the population. The lack of a collective water and sewage treatment system in these neighbourhoods has led to the spread of many diseases such as malaria, intestinal diseases and more recently the appearance of a few cases of cholera. As regards the satisfaction of basic needs, food insecurity is felt mostly in urban areas and affects 92 per cent of the poor. The situation is compounded by the development of insecurity and delinquency increasingly affecting early childhood.

268. Rapid urbanization over the past twenty years, with an annual growth rate ranging between 6 and 7 per cent, coupled with a reduction in urban public investments, has had incidence on the immediate environment of the population and the job market. One of the consequences is the development of pockets of precarious neighbourhoods (particularly in Yaounde and Douala) and the proliferation of informal activities as a hide-out and an outlet to poverty.

269. Most risky areas unfit for human habitation in the cities of Yaounde and Douala are occupied by the poor. More than 60 per cent of such urbanized areas are liable to flooding. Most of the houses are precarious, and built with salvaged material. Three fifths of neighbourhoods in Yaounde are built with non-permanent material. Basic services such as household waste collection and sanitation are inadequate. A diagnostic report on 23 towns² suggests that poverty can be seen mainly in:

• Very few job creation and income-generating opportunities since the environment is not appropriate for the development of such activities for the poorest segments of society;

• Poor mastery by council authorities of the urban development fabric: the lack of urbanization master plans in most towns has engendered the disorderly settlement of the population including risky land and/or areas. More than 80 per cent of urban lands are neither registered nor occupied in an orderly manner;

• Very poor access to basic urban services: less than 40 per cent of households are connected to a safe water supply system, and more than 85 per cent of the urban population use individual water treatment methods with all the pollution risks involved. Besides, most towns do not have street lamps;

• Increased insecurity and the precariousness of life, notably the falling moral standards and sexual exploitation of minors as well as abuses of all kinds (prostitution, procuring, drug addiction, etc.); urban violence, (armed robbery, witchcraft, fighting, rape, burglary, etc.); the increase in the number of street children and mental patients. Moreover, disabled and aged people lack specialized areas and equipment.

270. Unemployment, at its present level, is another important feature of urban poverty. In 2005, the unemployment rate according to ILO stood at 4.4 per cent representing 10.7 per cent in urban areas as against 1.7 per cent in rural areas. In a broader sense, the unemployment rate which includes discouraged jobseekers wrongly considered inactive stands at 6.2 per cent, accounting for 14.1 per cent in urban areas and 2.7 per cent in rural ones. The overall unemployment rate estimated by EESI in 2005 is 17.9 per cent in the city of Yaounde and 16 per cent in Douala³.