Mayor of Douala II wrestles over the management of markets with Fritz Ntonè Ntonè

It was a true declaration of war made by the Mayor of the 2nd district in the Douala and his City Council on Thursday, July 16, 2015, to the Douala Urban Community (CUD).

Meeting at the headquarters of the CUD at the Douala District Town Hall, the City Council voted for the incorporation of markets to the management of the municipality.

Mayor Denise Fampou cited the Act and Decree No. 2015/1375 / PM signed on 8 June 2015, by Prime Minister Philemon Yang. It stipulates in article 13 paragraph 1 that "the municipality manages markets built on its territory" and also declares in article 5 paragraph 1 "powers transferred by the State for construction, equipment, maintenance and management of the market, are exercised by the Communes".

Mayor Denise Fampou justified his municipality's control through article 12 of the Constitution of Cameroon and in articles 15, 110 and 120 of the Act laying down the rules applicable to Communes.

"In history which teaches that the Douala Urban Community did not exist until 1987 and the central market built by the State was inaugurated on 28 November 1981." The continuation of the speech given by the Mayor also refers to the process of decentralization irretrievably triggered by president Paul Biya, which he cited in a speech made on December 1, 2009.

For the 4th Deputy Mayor, Councillor of the opposition party SDF, Jean Robert Wafo, the recovery of management of markets in Douala 2nd aims to strengthen budgetary allocation of the commune.

Contacted by Cameroon-info.NET, the delegate of the Douala Urban community said government refuses to consider the decision of the Mayor of Douala 2nd.

"I'm supportive of the position of the representative of the Prefect who said he had to be referred to the law. It is a local decision and a bad interpretation of the laws. The central market and other markets remain in the portfolio of the Douala Urban Community. An already deep crisis between the Cud and the district Commune of Douala 2nd risk erupting in the coming days."