Local, Regional Authorities: Understanding Stipulated Roles

As part of measures to accelerate the decentralisation process in Cameroon, the Head of State on December 24, 2019 enacted into law the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities. Local Councils According to Section 147 of the abovementioned Code, municipal councils are the basic local authority with the overall objective to ensure development and improve the living environment and conditions of its inhabitants. As per the powers devolved to local councils in the economic domain, they shall be responsible for promoting council agricultural, pastoral, artisanal and fish farming activities, development and management of tourist sites, construction, equipping, management and maintenance of markets, motor parks and slaughterhouses, organisation of local trade fairs and the exploitation of mineral substances that cannot be given out as concession. Councils shall also be responsible for ensuring drinking water supply, cleaning of streets, roads and Council public areas, industrial and household waste management, creation, maintenance and management of council green spaces, parks and gardens, amongst others. Other duties include the creation and maintenance of council road networks and execution of related works, public street lighting and contributing to the electrification of rural areas. City Councils Their duties are defined in Section 241 and they shall have jurisdiction over any action pertaining to inter- council collaboration, major works and structuring projects. Their duties are same as local councils, but on a broader sphere. In addition, they shall be responsible for issuing town planning certificates, land parcelling authorisations, location, buil...