Cameroon’s State budget has been slashed by 11%, representing the sum of FCFA 542.2 billion as a result of the negative effects of the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic on the national economy.

The information is contained in a recent ordinance signed by the Head of State, Paul Biya, amending the 2020 Finance law.

Following these changes, Cameroon’s State budget which stood at FCFA 4951.7 billion, adopted by parliament in 2019 now stands at FCFA 4409 billion, a deduction of FCFA 542.2 billion.

The drop in the budget was provoked by the negative effects of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic on Cameroon’s national economy which has led to an increase in the prices of some commodities at the local level and a huge drop in the prices of petroleum products.

According to reports, part of the reduced amount was used to put in place the special national solidarity fund, created by the Head of State to address issues relating to the fight against the virus at the national level.

Though it has been signed by the President, the ordinance is still to be forwarded to parliament for adoption.

The drop does not concern the National Assembly, the Senate and Elections Cameroon, ELECAM.