Cameroon:Pioneer Managers urged to make NASLA a model

Tanyi Tiku EnohAchuo Bayee,DG,NASLA

 By Christopher Ambe

The Minister of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL), George Elanga Obam, on September 18, urged the pioneer management team of National School for Local Administration (NASLA),Buea to make the institution not only a brand in Cameroon but in Africa.

Minister Obam made the appeal at Mountain Hotel, Buea during the commissioning into office of Mr. Mouhtar Ousman Mey, as pioneer Chair of the Board of Directors of NASLA, and Mr.Tanyitiku Enohachuo Bayee, as pioneer Director-General (DG) and his deputy Mrs. Ongolo Nyanguinda Lidwine. Other NASLA Board members were also commissioned and the Board later held its first session same day.

The minister urged the DG and his deputy to be instrumental in the smooth take off of Cameroon’s decentralization by training staff of both regional and local authorities, as well as their elected officials.

 “A census conducted by MINDDEVEL in 2019 indicated that more than 70% of workers of councils [in Cameroon] have qualifications below the standard while about 80% are temporary or seasonal staff,” Minister Obam revealed, regretting that  “our regional and local authorities are not well equipped with the technical competences needed in the management  devolved to them”

He implored the DG to work extremely to “give NASLA a good name, make it a brand in Cameroon, in our sub region, and our continent.”

 The goal of NASLA, the Minister noted, is to facilitate decentralization and local governance in Cameroon by ensuring professional training in areas of local administration in accordance with guidelines defined by the Government.

 NASLA was created by President Paul Biya on March 2, 2020 from the ashes of Local Government Training Centre (CEFAM) as a public administrative and professional establishment, with a distinct legal personality and financial autonomy

 

The minister enjoined the DG to master the regulations governing NASLA and immediately propose to the Board the priority action plan for the school,  organizational chart, the equipment plan, the statutes governing personnel, the curricula, proposals for appointment to positions of sub-director so that they should be validated for implementation.

 Mr.Tanyitiku was urged to demonstrate his management skills with a strong leaning to results-based management.

The minister told him to encourage proper use of both official languages, noting that “bilingualism is the bedrock of our national integration.”

 NASLA offers a two-year duration diploma training, which comprises three cycles: Cycle A-for senior executives of local administration; Cycle B,for mid-level staff of local administration and Cycle C,for specialized workers of local administration.

Admission into NASLA is through a competitive entrance examination .Only holders of a Bachelor’s degree (aged at most 35) sit for Cycle A; holders of GCE Advanced level or recognized equivalent (aged at most 35)sit for Cycle B and holders of GCE Ordinary Level or recognized (aged at most 30) sit for Cycle C.

 

 Director-General Mr. Tanyitiku and his deputy Mrs. Mrs. Ongolo were appointed on March 25 by President Paul Biya. 

 Board chair Mr.Mouhtar was appointed by a presidential decree on August 11 2020 and the next day was the appointment of nine other board members.

The Board members are:Mr. Miene Mindoumou Robert Arnaud(Presidency of the Republic),Mrs. Ngeve nee Hannah Njeke Ngombi( Prime Minister’s office),Mr. Cho Ngu Ernest(MINDDEVEL),Mr. Yufenyuy Fai Yengo Emmanuel(Ministry of Finance),Mr. Ndzana Louis de Gonzagne Anaclet(Ministry of Territorial Administration),Mr. Tsimi Serge(Ministry of Public Service),Mr. Abane Engolo Patrick Edgard( Ministry of Higher Education),Mr. Ntye Ntye Daniel Elise(FEICOM) and Mr. Akoa Albert Anicet(Regional and Local Authorities).

 

 Board chair Mr. Mouhtar, born on November 4, 1960,in the Far North region of Cameroon ,is a retired superscale senior administrative officer. Before his appointment he retired as Secretary-General in the Ministry of Arts and Culture, but before that he   had held the same position in the Ministry of Social Affairs. He is married and has two children

 Director General, Mr. Tanyitiku is a senior administrative officer. Born on May 5, 1975, he read law and political science in the University of Buea before enrolling into ENAM Yaounde where he was trained as administrator. He is married and has four children.Before his recent appointment he was an attaché at the Prime Minister’s office He hails from Manyu Division

. Deputy DG Mrs. Ongolo was born on December 7, 1975 in Yaoundé. She graduated as an administrator from ENAM Yaounde. Prior to her appointment she was Head of Division of Planning and Local Development in MINDDEVEL. She hails from the Lekie Division and is a mother of two.

Buea Mayor David Namange Mafani,who welcomed Minister Obam ,promised the support  of his council to NASLA. SW Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai was among dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony.