A sensitization meeting on local taxation was held on Saturday, 16th May 2026, at the Andek Council Hall. The meeting was organized by the Andek Council in collaboration with the Administration of Ngie Subdivision.

The Lord Mayor of Andek Council, Mr. Ubangoh Helly, and the Divisional Officer for Ngie, Mr. Oteh Philip BACHE, led the session, supported by technical staff from both the Council and the Sub-Divisional Office. The meeting brought together business operators, traders, hawkers, and other economic actors within the municipality.

Purpose of the Meeting
The objective was to educate and sensitize business operators on the 2024 Law on Local Taxation – Law No. 2024/020 of 23rd December 2024. The session covered:
The different categories of local taxes;
Tax payment procedures based on business category and turnover.
The importance of tax compliance for the development of Andek Municipality and Cameroon at large

Key Highlights from the Lord Mayor’s Address:

The Lord Mayor explained that the new law provides a clear and simplified framework for local taxation at the Council and Regional levels. He emphasized that:

The law is a national instrument: It was signed by His Excellency, President Paul Biya, and applies to all Councils in Cameroon. Compliance is a civic duty.
The law document is public: Every citizen has the right to obtain and consult it free of charge to understand their rights and obligations.
Grace periods are over: While the government granted several periods of grace in previous years, these have slowed Council operations and development. All business operators are now expected to fulfill their tax obligations.
Taxation is for development: Taxes are not a punishment. They are a contribution to build roads, markets, schools, health centers, and other services that benefit everyone.
Simplified tax system: To reduce the burden, the government has introduced affordable minimum tax regimes. For example, small traders with an annual turnover of around 500,000 FCFA can pay a minimum tax starting from 20,000 FCFA per year, compared to the higher daily rates previously paid by some hawkers.

Statement from the Divisional Officer
The Divisional Officer, Mr. Oteh Philip BACHE, urged all business operators to cooperate with Council authorities. He reiterated that tax payment is a civic responsibility and assured that the Administration will support the Council in ensuring fair and effective tax collection, while protecting citizens from harassment and misinformation.

Call to Action
The Lord Mayor called for stronger collaboration between the Administration, the Council, and the population. He appealed to business operators to avoid tax evasion and to work with the Council to build a self-reliant municipality. He also warned that failure to comply will attract the sanctions and penalties provided by law.

The meeting ended in a cordial atmosphere, with participants expressing appreciation for the clarifications and committing to improved tax compliance.

For further information, the full text of Law No. 2024/020 on Local Taxation is available free of charge at the Andek Council office.