On 13 September, the President of the Republic Paul Biya, indeed signed a decree authorising traditional chiefs to receive a monthly allowance. In practical terms, as stipulated by the law, 1st degree traditional chiefs receive FCfa 200,000 on a monthly basis; those of the 2nd degree, FCfa 100,000 and 3rd degree chiefs are entitled to FCfa 50,000. But would you believe that Jacques Fame Ndongo, through his status 3rd degree Chief of the Nkolandom village and none other than Minister of Tertiary Education, was getting FCfa 50,000? The law has an article for those with multiple positions.
The presidential decree stresses that allowances cannot be cumulated with parliamentary allowances, civil servants' salaries or a salary received as a public administration agent. “For those who are duly authorised to hold several positions, the person in question must choose, before his appointment by the relevant authority, either to keep their salary, or to receive the traditional chief allowance”, one can read.
One might as well say that many traditional chiefs who are at the same time ministers, members of Parliament and senators are not entitled (in principle) to the above-mentioned puny allowance. Especially as the payment of this manna is often delayed. Already in June 2014, the Minister in charge of Local Administration, René Sadi, informed that only 20% of the traditional chiefs had been paid the monthly salary established by this presidential decree.
M.N.M.
DATA SHEET | ||
Trad. Chief. | Number of chiefs. | Allocation mensuelle du chef |
1st degree | 80-82 | 200 000 Fcfa |
2nd degree | 667 | 100 000 Fcfa |
3rd degree | Approx. 13 000 | 50 000 Fcfa |