Biya calls on ministers to 'fully assume' office

Paul Biya has called on his government to "fully assume" office "and strengthen government action with efficiency." Speaking on Thursday in Yaounde on the occasion of a Ministerial Council for the October 2 reshuffled government, he called on the team to correct all deficiencies.

"I have been saying that the government has to consider itself as a "government mission. It is understood that some where not there to deal with current issues but they have to invent, create and achieve. I reiterate this today more than ever as a directive."

Biya required better coordination between departments, better involvement of deputy ministers and secretaries of state, acceleration of maturation of projects and elimination of the deadlock, "which we do not always perceive the reasons."

The head of state also called for the stemming of the problem of under-utilization of appropriations which penalizes the country's recovery and continue to ensure the quality of public spending and, consistently, to be disciplined with teamwork, dedication, loyalty, integrity and patriotism.

Placing government action under the theme of the implementation of the emergency plan for accelerating economic growth and organization of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2016 football (women) and 2019 (men) which was presented as a "great challenge" ahead, he said that the second priority was "to do everything to maintain or even increase the pace" of growth in the country.

Paul Biya called on each one to do more and better within the short term in the defense of the country against the threat of Islamist sect Boko Haram and its abuses and the preservation of internal security, which "remains obviously the first priority of government."

He acknowledged, however, in relation to the challenges of economic growth and national security, the decline in oil prices and fiscal effort for the defense which will complicate the task.