Internal Policies

TITLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 1: These internal regulations are established in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 paragraph 2 of Law No. 2000/014 of 19 December 2000 governing the organization and practice of the Electrical Engineering profession.

NAME AND HEADQUARTERS

ARTICLE 2:

1. Electrical Engineers practice their activities in CAMEROON within the framework of Law No. 2000/014 of 19 December 2000. They are grouped within a professional organization called the "National Order of Electrical Engineers", abbreviated as "NOEE" (ONIGE in French).
2. The Order is endowed with legal personality.
3. Its headquarters is located in YAOUNDE.

ARTICLE 3: By virtue of scientific and professional training, the Order may authorize an Electrical Engineer to practice his/her activities in one or more specialties specified in the Code of Ethics.

REGISTRATION APPLICATION FILE

ARTICLE 4: The registration file for enrollment on the Roll of the Order comprises:

• An application form;
• Presentation of the original required diploma(s);
• A certified true copy of the diploma(s);
• An Extract of Criminal Record less than three (3) months old;
• A certified true copy of the National Identity Card;
• For foreigners, a recruitment or partnership contract, or a cooperation agreement;
• A receipt of payment of file review fees fixed by the General Assembly.

FILE FOR THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

ARTICLE 5: The application file for private practice of the Electrical Engineering profession addressed to the Council of the Order comprises:

• An attestation of registration on the Roll of the Order;
• An attestation of effective practice of the Electrical Engineering profession for at least three (3) years;
• An attestation of release from previous employment, except for Engineers from Higher Education Institutions;
• An attestation of non-employment status, except for Engineers from Higher Education Institutions;
• An attestation and receipt of payment of professional liability insurance and annual contributions to the Order;
• A receipt of payment of annual contributions to the Order;
• An attestation of non-bankruptcy;
• A list of personnel;
• A list of equipment;
• A office site plan;
• An address, postal box, telephone, fax, and email address;
• A receipt of payment of file review fees fixed by the General Assembly.

ORGANS OF THE ORDER

ARTICLE 6: In accordance with the provisions of Article 26, paragraph 4 of the Law, the organs of the Order are:

1. The General Assembly;
2. The Council of the Order;
3. Specialized Committees created by the General Assembly.

TITLE II: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE 7:

1. The General Assembly elects every three (3) years a President of the Council of the Order, an Auditor, and other members of the Council through a secret uninominal ballot by a simple majority of members present or represented and up to date with their contributions.
2. The President of the Council of the Order is the President of the Order.
3. Engineers under disciplinary suspension shall not participate in voting;
4. Candidacies for election to the Council must be received by the President of the General Assembly against receipt at least six (6) weeks prior to the election date;
5. The Secretary General of the National Order of Electrical Engineers must inform members of the Order of said candidacies at least one (1) month in advance by a notice specifying the venue, opening time, and closing time of voting;
6. Ballot papers are produced by the Secretary General of the Order;
7. The President of the General Assembly presides over voting operations, assisted by scrutineers who are the most senior member and the latest registered member present at the General Assembly. Both scrutineers and members of the bureau of the General Assembly sign the report;
8. Proxies must be written and may only be given to colleagues eligible to vote. An Engineer may hold only one proxy;
9. All voting operations are conducted under the authority of the President of the General Assembly;
10. All electoral claims and objections are filed with the Supreme Court in accordance with the provisions of Article 33, paragraph 2 of the aforementioned Law;
11. In the event of the death or resignation of an elected member, partial elections are organized during the General Assembly immediately following to fill the vacant position.

ARTICLE 8:

1. The General Assembly consists of duly registered Electrical Engineers who are in good standing in accordance with Article 7 of the Law.
2. It is convened in ordinary and extraordinary sessions by the President of the Council of the Order at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the session;
3. Ordinary sessions are convened once a year by individual written notification from the President of the Order as well as through media channels;
4. Extraordinary sessions may be convened by:
   • The President of the Order;
   • A simple majority of members of the Order;
   • The Supervising Minister after consultation with the Council of the Order.
5. Elections within the Order may only take place during an ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Order.

DELIBERATIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE 9:

1. The General Assembly can only validly deliberate if at least half of the registered members are present or represented.
2. Decisions of the General Assembly are taken by a simple majority of members present or represented and in good standing;
3. The General Assembly elects its President and a bureau comprising a Vice-President, two (2) rapporteurs, and a censor by secret uninominal ballot in a single round by a majority of members present;
4. The General Assembly elects the President and members of the Council of the Order through a list system presented by the candidate for the post of President of the Council. It also elects the Auditor and other members of the Council. The list presented by the candidate for President of the Council must take into account regional representation, gender balance, and technical specialties. The election minutes must be signed by the President of the General Assembly, the scrutineers, and the candidates for President;
5. The General Assembly considers the agenda drawn up by the President of the Order in accordance with Article 29, paragraph 1 of the aforementioned Law;
6. The General Assembly votes the budget of the Order upon proposal of the Council;
7. Newly admitted members take an oath before the General Assembly;
8. The Extraordinary Assembly considers any urgent matter concerning the profession;
9. Decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in minutes signed by its President and the Rapporteur.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE 10:

1. The functions of President of the General Assembly are incompatible with those of President of the Council of the Order;
2. The President of the General Assembly directs debates and adopts resolutions resulting from consensus or voting;
3. The Vice-President of the General Assembly assists the President and acts on his/her behalf in case of absence;
4. The President of the Assembly transmits to the President of the Council of the Order, within eight (8) days following the General Assembly, a copy of the minutes duly signed by himself/herself and the Rapporteurs.

FUNCTIONS OF THE RAPPORTEUR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE 11: Rapporteurs participate in the General Assembly, take notes, and draft the report and minutes of the session.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CENSOR

ARTICLE 12:

1. The Censor enforces discipline during the General Assembly. In this capacity:
   • Imposes sanctions for acts of indiscipline committed during the General Assembly;
   • Receives complaints and suggestions from participants on ways to improve discipline;
   • Collects fines and hands them over to the Treasurer of the Order against receipt;
2. Fines not paid on the spot constitute debts mandatorily payable at the next session of the General Assembly of the Order.

TITLE III: THE COUNCIL OF THE ORDER

ELECTIONS WITHIN THE COUNCIL

ARTICLE 13:

1. The Council of the NOEE consists of twenty (20) Engineers elected by the General Assembly;
2. The Council of the Order elects from among its members by secret ballot, by a relative majority of members present or represented and in good standing, other executive bureau members, notably:
   • A First Vice-President;
   • A Second Vice-President;
   • Four Chairpersons of different specialties;
   • A Secretary General;
   • A Deputy Secretary General;
   • A Treasurer;
   • A Financial Secretary;
3. Members of the Council and executive bureau are elected for a term of three (3) years, renewable once for the same position;
4. Any Engineer under disciplinary suspension cannot participate in the vote;
5. Candidacies for executive bureau posts are received by the President of the General Assembly prior to voting;
6. Voting is chaired by the newly elected President of the Order;
7. Functions of Council members expire at the end of the Council's term, upon death, resignation, or when a member is no longer able to perform them. In case of vacancy, partial elections are organized during the Council meeting immediately following a General Assembly session. The term of an elected member cannot exceed that of the incumbent Council.

MEETINGS

ARTICLE 14: The Council of the Order meets at least twice (2) a year in ordinary session either upon convocation by its President or at the request of a simple majority of its members. Extraordinary sessions may be convened in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 2 above.

DELIBERATIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE ORDER

ARTICLE 15:

1. The Council of the Order deliberates on matters within its competence by a simple majority of members present, and in the event of a tie, the President's vote is decisive;
2. Deliberations are recorded in minutes signed by the President and the Secretary General;
3. Council members are bound by confidentiality regarding their decisions and are jointly responsible for decisions taken by the Council;
4. The Council of the Order can only validly meet if at least two-thirds (2/3) of its members are present or represented;
5. The positions of President, Vice-Presidents, Specialty Chairpersons, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Auditor are honorary. However, administrative expenses inherent to their duties are borne by the Order.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE ORDER

ARTICLE 16:

1. The duties of the Council President are of two (2) categories:
   • Representational duties;
   • Administrative duties.
2. If the President is unable to attend a Council meeting, he/she is substituted by one of the Vice-Presidents in order of attendance. The President may delegate powers to one or more Council members to perform specific functions. Such delegation is granted for a limited duration and a specific mission.

REPRESENTATIONAL DUTIES

ARTICLE 17:

1. The President represents the Order in all civil and legal acts;
2. He/she initiates and, where applicable, withdraws legal proceedings. By virtue of office, the President is required to initiate legal action with the State Prosecutor for matters affecting the honor and interests of the Order;
3. The President also represents the Order at all official ceremonies;
4. Each Council member is bound to show the President the consideration and deference due to a leader;
5. The President conveys the condolences of the Order to the family of a deceased member and attends the funeral;
6. The President represents the Order in international organizations of Electrical Engineers and may designate any other Council member to represent him/her.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

ARTICLE 18:

1. The President convenes and chairs Council meetings. He/she prepares the agenda, taking into account suggestions made by members of the Order;
2. The President is the authorizing officer for the budget adopted by the General Assembly;
3. He/she may acquire, alienate, lease, or mortgage real estate property on behalf of the Order or contract loans with prior approval of the General Assembly;
4. He/she recruits salaried staff and employees of the Order within the framework of the budget approved by the General Assembly;
5. Violations of professional rules are reported to the President;
6. When complaints are filed with the President by colleagues, he/she hears the parties involved and, if possible, attempts reconciliation or refers them to a designated Council member;
7. Upon reviewing the report, the President decides to close the matter or refer it to the Council;
8. Engineers' complaints are lodged with the President. They may be brought against colleagues or clients. They give rise to a reconciliation attempt by the President and, if necessary, protective measures.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL

ARTICLE 19: The Secretary General prepares and manages the General Assembly and Council of the Order and maintains the register of all correspondence. He/she coordinates and supervises auxiliary staff. He/she is assisted by a Deputy Secretary General.

FUNCTIONS OF THE TREASURER

ARTICLE 20: Placed under the authority of the Council President, the Treasurer maintains material and financial accounting; collects contributions and issues receipts; and manages an independent account under the name "NATIONAL ORDER OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS" (or "ORDRE NATIONAL DES INGENIEURS DE GENIE ELECTRIQUE") opened upon approval of the Council in a first-class banking institution recognized by the Ministry of Finance.

Financial commitments and checks are signed by the President and Treasurer. The President may grant signing authority to the Secretary General.

FUNCTIONS OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY

ARTICLE 21: Ensures the sound management of the Order's resources. He/she maintains daily accounting of income and expenditure, as well as financial forecasts of the Order.

He/she accounts for actions through reports presented at each General Assembly of the Order.

FUNCTIONS OF THE AUDITOR

ARTICLE 22: Audits the accounts and assets of the Order.

He/she is assisted by a recognized Chartered Accountant registered with the Order of Chartered Accountants, recruited following a vacancy announcement.

TITLE IV: RESOURCES AND THEIR UTILIZATION

RESOURCES

ARTICLE 23:

1. The resources of the Order derived from:
   • Annual contributions of registered members;
   • Registration fees;
   • File review fees;
   • Interest generated by bank accounts;
   • Subsidies granted by the Supervising Ministry;
   • All funds originating from activities of the Order;
   • Various donations and bequests.

   Contributions are paid spontaneously during the month they fall due. Failing this, the President may initiate disciplinary sanction proceedings.

2. Payable amounts are as follows:
   • Registration fees: 10,000 FCFA
   • Annual contributions: 50,000 FCFA
   • File review fees: 2,000 FCFA

ARTICLE 24: Resources of the Order are used exclusively for its activities in accordance with budgetary forecasts approved by the General Assembly.

TITLE V: PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND INTERNSHIPS

ARTICLE 25:

1. In accordance with Article 37 of the aforementioned Law, the Council of the Order ensures continuing professional training for Electrical Engineers;
2. For this purpose, the Council places every candidate seeking to enter the Electrical Engineering profession on an internship for three (3) years;
3. Every candidate must begin the internship under the supervision of a member of the Order upon registration. He/she is mentored by said colleague for three (3) years, at the end of which he/she prepares a report for the Council of the Order;
4. The report covers the young Engineer's work during internship and serves as a basis for the Council to decide whether to extend the internship period or impose sanctions on the candidate;
5. Engineers of Cameroonian nationality who have practiced abroad for at least five (5) years following university studies complete a three (3) month orientation internship in the firm of a colleague or engineering association practicing in Cameroon for at least the past five (5) years. To ensure coordination in such an association, at least one partner must have practiced in Cameroon for at least five (5) years. In addition, a detailed report shall be drawn up by a commission created by the Order;
6. Foreign Engineers may be admitted to an internship in the firm of a colleague or engineering association practicing in Cameroon for at least five (5) years for a period of six (6) months, renewable under the supervision of the Council of the Order.

ENGINEERING ASSOCIATIONS

ARTICLE 26:

1. In accordance with Article 13 of the Law of 19 December 2000, Engineers may form an association or company to practice their activities, either for a specific mission duration or unspecified period;
2. As partnership agreements are intuitu personae by nature, they are freely negotiated by the Engineers concerned;
3. To form an association, Engineers must nevertheless take into account the following provisions:
   • Any Engineer who, under the Order's regulations, loses the right to practice the profession may not maintain membership in the association;
   • Any Engineer whose partner is subject to a disciplinary sanction exceeding two (2) months may terminate the partnership agreement.
4. Prior to concluding their partnership agreement, the Engineers concerned submit it to the Council of the Order to verify compliance with regulations.

TITLE VI: ENGINEERING TITLES

ARTICLE 27: During the first three (3) years of professional activity, an Engineer registered on the Roll of the Order holds the title of Student Engineer. After three (3) years of conclusive practice, he/she holds the title of Electrical Engineer.

TITLE VII: SANCTIONS

ARTICLE 28:

1. In accordance with Article 18 of Law No. 2000/014 of 19 December 2000, the Disciplinary Council may impose the following sanctions:
   1. Warning;
   2. Reprimand;
   3. Three (3) to five (5) months suspension from practice;
   4. Striking off (radiation) from the Order.
2. The first two sanctions carry ineligibility for election to the Council of the Order for a period of two (2) years from the notification date.
3. Suspension may be imposed for an offense where the resulting disruption does not jeopardize the operation or stability of the system or structure. In the event of a subsequent offense, striking off from the Order may be pronounced.
4. In addition to other cases specified in the Law, striking off may be pronounced for an offense resulting in disruption causing dysfunction and instability of the system or structure.
5. With the exception of a warning, any sanction against a Council member results in forfeiture of Council membership.
6. Within the scope of this order, the term "disruption/disorder" carries the meaning attributed to it in electrical engineering.

ARTICLE 29: Suspension or striking off is notified to the Supervising Minister and published in a legal journal on the order of the President of the Council of the Order.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

ARTICLE 30:

1. Within the profession, the Council of the Order exercises disciplinary powers at first instance;
2. In this capacity, it submits files to the Disciplinary Council chaired by the President of the Council of the Order or, where applicable, by the most senior member;
3. The Disciplinary Council comprises four (4) members elected from within the Council of the Order. A member of the Disciplinary Council may represent another member if the latter deserts or is unable to attend a committee meeting.

ARTICLE 31:

1. Where necessary, a case may be referred to the Disciplinary Council by the Supervising Ministry, the State Prosecutor, or any other Engineer registered with the Order.
2. A civil servant Engineer can only be brought before the Disciplinary Council for acts committed in the performance of duties by the employing Minister or the Council of the Order after consultation with the Supervising Ministry, which provides its opinion within thirty (30) days of notification. Silence after this period constitutes acceptance.
3. The Disciplinary Council can only validly deliberate in the presence of three-quarters (3/4) of its members.

ARTICLE 32: The Disciplinary Council may convene in the following cases:

• Breach of duty;
• Conviction for any offense committed inside or outside the national territory likely to harm the credibility and reputation of the profession;
• Acts of indiscipline;
• Any other case referred by the Council of the Order.

ARTICLE 33: At the request of the parties concerned or on its own initiative, the Disciplinary Council may order an inquiry into facts that, if verified, could assist in investigating a case. The decision to conduct an inquiry specifies the points of focus and whether it shall take place before the Disciplinary Council or be conducted by one of its members visiting the premises.

ARTICLE 34:

1. Any Engineer involved may be defended by any person of his/her choice;
2. He/she may exercise the right to challenge the verdict according to legal procedures.

ARTICLE 35:

1. The Council of the Order maintains a register of its deliberations.
2. Minutes of each session are drawn up and signed by all its members.
3. Reports of interrogations or cross-examinations are drawn up and signed by all parties concerned.

ARTICLE 36:

1. No disciplinary sanction may be taken unless the incriminated Engineer has been heard or summoned to appear within thirty (30) days following notice.
2. The Disciplinary Council may render a decision if the accused fails to comply with a duly served summons.

ARTICLE 37:

1. Decisions of the Disciplinary Council must state the grounds on which they are based.
2. They must be notified on the very first day following presentation to the Supervising Authority, the Office of the State Prosecutor, the Senior Divisional Officer of the Engineer's residence, and against receipt to the Engineer concerned.

ARTICLE 38:

1. Where a decision is rendered *in absentia*, the incriminated Engineer may lodge an opposition within ten (10) days after receiving signed acknowledgment of the notification.
2. If the person concerned is not notified in person, the period for lodging opposition shall be thirty (30) days from the date notice was served at his/her professional residence.
3. Opposition is made by simple declaration at the Secretariat of the Council of the Order against receipt.

ARTICLE 39:

1. In case of procedural irregularity, the Engineer concerned may appeal to the Appeals Committee referred to in Article 40 below within sixty (60) days from the notification date of the disciplinary body's decision.
2. After this period, the decision becomes final and enforceable.

ARTICLE 40: The Appeals Committee comprises:

• Chairperson: A magistrate/legal expert from the Supreme Court designated by its President;
• An Electrical Engineer appointed by the Supervising Authority;
• Three (3) members of the Order elected by the General Assembly who did not handle the case at First Instance.

ARTICLE 41: Without prejudice to Articles 39 and 40 above, appeals against disciplinary decisions of the Council of the Order are lodged with the Appeals Committee.

ARTICLE 42:

1. The appeal is lodged in the form of an explanatory motion submitted to the Secretariat of the Council of the Order against receipt;
2. Within thirty (30) days of the Council's decision, an appeal may be filed by the Engineer concerned, the Supervising Authority, the Prosecutor's Office, or any other member of the Order who deems it necessary.
3. An appeal filed in this manner does not have a suspensive effect.

ARTICLE 43:

1. The Appeals Committee renders its verdict within two (2) months of being seized. Its decisions are taken and notified in the forms provided for in Article 37 above.
2. After this two-month period, the decision taken at First Instance is automatically stayed.
3. The Appeals Committee renders a final judgment.

ARTICLE 44: Disciplinary action taken in the manner described above does not exclude judicial prosecution by the Prosecutor, individuals, or the Order, nor disciplinary action that the Public Administration may undertake against the Engineer concerned at his/her place of employment.

TITLE VIII: TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 45: These internal regulations shall be registered, communicated, and published in the Official Gazette in English and French.