Cameroon: Transporters Union leaders hold talks with Minister Luc Magloire Atangana

Transporters trade unionist in Cameroon have met with the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Atangana to voice out their grievances on the increase in prices of petroleum products. The meeting was held this Friday 12th November 2015 in the presence of the Minister of Labour and Social Security Basile Atangana Kouna as the mediator and representatives of transporters across the territory. According to these angered transporters, the meeting comes on the heels of a general drop in prices of petroleum products worldwide but have failed to drop in Cameroon as a litre of kerosene that was sold at FCFA 210 FCFA now is slightly above FCFA 300. Transporters trade unionist who could not hold their temperaments spoke at the highest of their tones with some many questions to why prices of these necessities are high in Cameroon but not in the world market.

One of the transporters who from his tone was vexed and arrogant to any person who tried to calm him down, told the press that they want the Minister to endorse their proposals to drop fuels pierces within 48 hours or else they will stage a nationwide demonstration. He further explained that on 7th July 2014, President Paul Biya signed a decree reducing fuel prices in Cameroon, but till date prices of petroleum products like kerosene, gas and fuel amongst others have steeply risen instead. To the trade unionists, discussions will not be lengthened with the Minister as all they want is a decrease in prices of petroleum products.

The grievous scene at the Ministry caused the Minister to ask the press out for an indoor discussion with these angered persons. It is worth noting that these transporters’ trade unionists met with the Prime Minster Head of Government, Philemon Yang on Monday 2nd November 2015 to plead with him to ask the police to stop harassing transporters and to issue subventions in petroleum products. Later on, they were at the court yard Ministry of Transport with the same tone. These transporters made a stop by at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for the same reasons.