The challenges of redistributing forest-related monetary benefits to local governments: a decade of logging area fees in Cameroon

P.O Cerutti,L Tacconi,S Assembe-Mvondo,G Lescuyer

doi:10.1505/ifor.12.2.130

Abstract

The Cameroonian regulatory framework on forest, wildlife and fisheries requires logging companies to pay an Area Fee (AF), half of which must be redistributed to rural councils (40%) and villages (10%) neighbouring the logging concessions. The AF had the main objectives to provide a consistent contribution to the State budget and to improve rural livelihoods through an equitable and effective redistribution of forest-related benefits. After a decade of implementation, and about 85 million redistributed to about 50 councils, the literature unanimously evaluates the livelihood impacts of the distribution of the AF to communities as weak. Less comprehensive assessments have been carried out on the impacts of distribution of the AF to local governments. This paper discusses the potential of the AF as a tool for local development through local councils, with particular attention to the economic, equity and governance issues. One of the most significant findings is that mayors, although elected and unanimously blamed for embezzlements and mismanagement of the AF, are often only scapegoats in a complex political system that does not allow the rural population to directly sanction the misuse of the AF via the current electoral system.

Highlights

In Cameroon, forest logging concessions, composed of one or more Forest Management Units (FMU), and Sale of Standing Volume (SSV) provide the bulk of the annual timber production – about 91% in 2007 (MINFOF 2008)
Lack of transparency leaves the door open for alleged mismanagements and for conflicts at the local level between council members and the local population over the distribution of the Area Fee (AF). It is extremely complicated for mayors and villagers in rural Cameroon to get access to baseline data, monitor the taxes paid by logging companies, and assess the share that should be paid to them every year
The mayor was the only candidate appointed by the dominant party, and in the other case, people believe the mayor was able to use the AF as a tool to negotiate his candidature at the party level and election at the council level

Summary

SUMMARY

The Cameroonian regulatory framework on forest, wildlife and fisheries requires logging companies to pay an Area Fee (AF), half of which must be redistributed to rural councils (40%) and villages (10%) neighbouring the logging concessions. Le cadre réglementaire camerounais sur les forêts, faune et la pêche requie que les compagnies forestières paient une redevance forestière annuelle (RFA), dont 40% doit être redistribuée aux communes, et 10% aux villages riverains des concessions. Après une décennie de mise en pratique, et environ 85 millions d’euros redistribués à environ 50 communes, les rapports évaluent d’une façon unanime que les impacts socio-économiques de la distribution de la RFA aux communautés ont été faibles. Una década después de la implementación de la política, y con una suma aproximada de 85 millones de euros ya redistribuida entre unos 50 municipios, el veredicto unánime de los analistas es que el impacto sobre el terreno de la distribución del AF entre las comunidades locales ha sido más bien débil. Entre las conclusiones más significativas se encuentra el hecho de que a menudo los alcaldes, aunque sean elegidos y culpados de forma unánime de malversación de fondos y mala administración del AF, no son más que chivos expiatorios en un sistema político complejo que no permite a la población rural imponer sanciones directas por la malversación del AF a través del sistema electoral actual

INTRODUCTION

No of councils

Findings

Conclusion