Recently
protestant churches have been under government scanners in Cameroon for
operating illegally. This lead as far as the closing of some of these churches
by the various local authorities whose competence it is to manage such issues.
According to the senior divisional officers for mezam and his colleagues in
Douala where such churches were recently closed, it is due to the lack of
appropriate documents authorizing their existence.
The
Catholic, Baptist and Presbyterian churches were never torched with the
understanding that they are legal. The activities of these churches especially
relating to their involvement in the tourism sector where under review this
Thursday 22nd August, 2013 in Bamenda.
According
to the Hotel Industries and Tourism Employers SYNDICATE (SPIHT) meeting under
the chairmanship of its president Awah Cletus Fobuzi these mainstream churches
are into what they described as “unethical exploitation of our business sector”
The
operation of guest Houses by these churches in Ntamulung, Nkwen and upstation,
they said “is alleged” to be without the authorization of the ministry of
tourism and the knowledge of some administrative institutions where dues for
such authorization should be paid like the taxation.
Hotel
Industries and Tourism Employers SYNDICATE (SPIHT) in a communiqué circulated
at the meeting noted that such church structures are equally expected to pay
dues such as CNPS, commerce and trade, the council publicity dues, inspection
fees of the service of minds just like them running hotels and related services
like catering services.
When
this reporter visited the Baptist center Nkwen at about 5:15pm Thursday 22
August 22, 2013, someone received me at the guest house office ready to offer a
service but could not explain to me if the service is “legal or illegal” he
however directed me to CBC authorities beginning with the center manager. The
manager was not on seat at the time of our departure. In a later contact, the
manager in his explanations opined that the church (CBC) was a charity: so too
are all the services attached therein.
During
the meeting the SYNDICATE (SPIHT) also noted with regret the fact that these
clandestine businesses strive on the corrupt nature of some government offices
that take upon such services and execute fraudulent contracts.
“The
pregnancy of the above malpractices has reached a delivery stage which if not
eradicated; it will kill the regularly authorized operating business” Hotel
Industries and Tourism Employers SYNDICATE (SPIHT) say.