National assembly of Cameroon: Inauguration of the new complex

Dressed out in their beautiful attires, Parliamentarians, Members of Government, General Managers, Traditional and Religious Authorities, special guests, and the parliamentary administration staff, mobilized this Saturday, November 30 2024 in a grand setting to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new National Assembly Complex. Fruit of cooperation between Cameroon and the People's Republic of China, the new National Assembly Complex stands proudly on the hills of Ngoa-Ekelle, Yaounde 3 Sub Division.

The inauguration ceremony started precisely at 10:55 am with the spectacular arrival of the Right Honorable CAVAYE YEGUIE DJibril, personal representative of the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon. He was the last to arrive at the ceremonial ground according to the protocol order of the day.  He was greeted with euphoria and a standing ovation as he walked on the red carpet that was spread from the entrance into the new Complex right up to the table of honor where he presided over the event.

He was welcomed upon his arrival at the Complex by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. DATOUO Théodore, in his capacity as the President of the follow-up Committee of the construction works of the new Complex. The Speaker joined the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph DION NGUTE and H.E. ZHANG QINGWE, Vice- Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Assembly of China and personal representative of Chinese President XI JINPING who preceded him in the arrival order. 

After the personalities of honor were installed, four highlights marked the inauguration ceremony of the new National Assembly Complex. The first articulation of the event was a speech from Mr. Luc Messi Atangana, the City Mayor of Yaounde. He took the opportunity to address his warm words of welcome to the Chinese delegation. Also, he specified that the new National Assembly Complex is the fruit of the present diplomatic successes of Cameroon led by H.E. Paul BIYA. He concluded that the Complex is a beautiful architectural achievement that has added the beauty of the Capital City.

On the heels of the City Mayor was Hon. DATOUO Théodore, who delivered his speech in his capacity as the Chairman of the follow-up Committee of the Construction Works. His speech was centered on the major stages that marked the evolution of the project. A project that according to him, is part of the Head of State's desire to modernize the Institutions of the Republic in order to align them with international standards. He also took the moment to commend the exceptional support of President Paul BIYA in the realization of this vast project. 

The third intervention was that of H.E. ZHANG QINGWE, Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Assembly of the Republic of China and personal representative of President XI JINPING. In his speech, he celebrated the excellent cooperation ties that exists between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Cameroon. Furthermore, he highlighted the quality of the collaboration that prevailed between Chinese and Cameroonian technicians throughout the construction period.

According to him, the new National Assembly Complex is the symbol of friendship of the rich and fruitful cooperation between China and Cameroon. He noted that the People's Republic of China will always be on Cameroon's side. Immediately after his speech, he proceeded to the symbolic handing over of the key to the new National Assembly Complex to the Right Honorable CAVAYE YEGUIE Djibril who immediately took the floor to deliver the inauguration speech.

The Right Honorable CAVAYE YEGUIE Djibril recalled that the new Complex of the National Assembly is a free gift from the People's Republic of China. He congratulated all the teams that were mobilized for the realization of the masterpiece which, according to him, is the largest and most beautiful in all of Africa. It is the realization of a true friendship, he stressed, the fruit of five decades of rich and dense historical cooperation between the two Countries, the Speaker emphasized. 

Shortly after the speech of the President of the National Assembly, medals were awarded to the Chinese guests, to some Members of the National Assembly and to some senior officials of the National Assembly amongst whom was Hon. NKODO DANG Roger, Mr. ESSIAN André Noël, the Secretary General of the National Assembly, the Director of Cabinet of the Speaker’s Cabinet, Mr. BOUKAR ABDOURAHIM, the Controller General, Mr. SALI, the Director of Protocol of the august Chamber Mr. FINOUA Abel. 

The new National Assembly Complex is a perfect materialization of a great and long cooperation between Cameroon and China. It is a futuristic project that aligns with international standards. This architectural jewel includes 03 main Buildings. The first with 15 floors will host the General Secretariat, the second is the new Plenary Hall with a capacity of about 480 seats and the third is the banquet hall of about 1000 seats.

Since the laying of the foundation stone in December 2019, 05 years have passed. This architectural masterpiece worth 55 billion is a reflection of a frank and solid friendship between the Cameroonian and Chinese people. Furthermore, it is the realization of concerted actions between the governments and parliaments of the two Countries. 

It should be recalled that Cameroon has maintained diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China since 1971 and the fruits of this rich and long cooperation are to this day observable in several areas that includes the construction of infrastructures. As proof, Chinese achievements in Cameroon include the Yaounde Conference Centre, the Yaounde Sports Complex and now the New National Assembly Complex.