The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and Member of Parliament for Wouri Centre, Joshua Osih, has raised strong concerns over government’s economic performance, infrastructure challenges and public finance management during ongoing debates on Cameroon’s 2027 Budget Orientation.
Taking the floor during discussions with the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, the opposition lawmaker questioned the effectiveness of government policies and demanded more accountability, insisting that budget debates should focus on measurable results rather than promises.
Osih said that after several decades of development strategies, including the current National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (NDS30), Cameroonians are no longer interested in plans alone but want to see concrete improvements in their daily lives.
He questioned the actual impact of NDS30 six years after its implementation, asking government to provide clear evidence of its achievements in areas such as economic growth, poverty reduction and improved living conditions.
The SDF chairman also raised concerns over Cameroon’s economic growth projections, questioning why targets presented in previous years have often fallen short of expectations. He called for transparency on the factors responsible for the gaps between projected and actual performance, including the role of external shocks and internal governance challenges.
On the issue of purchasing power, Osih questioned the effectiveness of government’s import substitution policy, noting that despite years of efforts to encourage local production, many Cameroonians continue to struggle with rising prices of basic commodities.
He asked government to provide verifiable figures showing how many households have experienced improved purchasing power since the introduction of NDS30 and the extent to which local production has effectively reduced dependence on imports.
The lawmaker also challenged government’s youth employment programmes, questioning how many jobs created through initiatives such as PAJER-U, PTS Jeunes and other schemes remain active and provide sustainable income to young people.
Beyond social issues, Osih focused on public spending, debt management and infrastructure development. He questioned the number of public investment projects that have been completed, are fully operational and are delivering expected benefits to citizens.
He also asked government to explain how many major projects financed through loans are generating enough revenue to contribute to debt repayment, calling for better evaluation of public investments.
The MP used his constituency, Wouri Centre, as an example of what he described as a contradiction in government priorities. He highlighted the poor state of National Road No. 3, the road linking the Douala Port and Douala International Airport, despite the strategic importance of these two facilities to Cameroon’s economy.
According to Osih, the Douala Port generates significant revenue for the state and supports thousands of families, while the Douala International Airport handles a large share of the country’s international air traffic. He questioned why a road serving such important economic infrastructure has remained in poor condition for more than two decades.
He described the situation as difficult to justify, especially for businesses, transporters and ordinary citizens who continue to suffer from delays, vehicle damage and increased costs because of the poor state of the road.
Another major concern raised by the SDF leader was the expected loss of state revenue following the planned departure of the Golar Liquefied Natural Gas facility from Kribi.
Osih warned that the development could create a financial gap estimated between 250 and 300 billion FCFA and urged government to take urgent measures to protect public finances.
He called for concrete solutions, including clear timelines and financial strategies, rather than additional promises or reports.
Throughout his intervention, Joshua Osih maintained that the credibility of government budgets depends on transparency, accountability and measurable results. He urged authorities to evaluate public policies objectively and redirect resources toward programmes that have a real impact on the lives of citizens.
His remarks come as Cameroon prepares its 2027 budget framework amid economic pressures, infrastructure concerns and growing public demand for better management of national resources.
First published by The Sun Newspaper
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