Cameroonian lawmakers said on Wednesday that they were committed to engaging with citizens in the diaspora in order to ensure that they acquire land legally in a bid to contribute to the country’s development.
They made the commitment during a rare information and exchange forum on the problem of housing and land acquisition for Cameroonians abroad.
Land acquisition woes have thwarted Cameroonian disapora’s drive to boost investment and development at home and this needs to be redressed, said Abba Alim, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly during the forum in the capital Yaounde.
“The diaspora is great support to the financial and technical stability of the country. We know the diaspora is willing to come and invest back home. A favourable environment is needed for them,” he said.
“We are ready to support Cameroon with our know-how and our financial resources. Many members of the diaspora have fallen prey in the hands of scammers and even family members with fraudulent sales of land. We beg on the government to create a better platform where we can acquire land and invest in our country,” Jean Yves Elemva Essono, diaspora representative told the lawmakers.
Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella said the government was working to set up an office to facilitate effective land acquisition and development projects submitted by Cameroonians living abroad. Enditem
