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Water billing in Cameroon: good news for households

Following the adoption of the 2019 finance law, the African Center Advocacy congratulates the Cameroon government for removing Value Added Taxes (VAT) for some water and electricity consumption levels.

Article 128, paragraph 9 of the finance law stipulates that “VAT is exempted from household electricity consumption when it does not exceed 220kWh per month and 20 cubic meters per month for water.” We thus could say that the government is trying to decelerate household spending to a pace more consistent with income growth.

But there is still much to be done 

We urge the Cameroon government to maintain this positive new momentum by adopting policies to ensure universal and equitable access to safe drinking water by 2030 to all Cameroonians as recommended by goal 6 of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

For example, low-income households consuming less than 20 cubic meters of water may be completely exempt from payment. In addition, the cost for connecting households to the water distribution network could be reduced for low-income households.

Access to water is a fundamental right for every citizen and indispensable for a dignified life.

ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN CENTER FOR ADVOCACY

Younoussa Abbosouka (Advocacy Officer):+237656327265

Office: +237 242899472

Email: younoussaa@we-advocate.org

Twitter: @We_Advocate

Facebook: African Center for Advocacy

Website: www.we-advocate.org

BP: 35614, Yaounde-Cameroun