Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Esther FOSSI
Published on 2024-03-28 16:17:21
Stalled since 2018, several roads in Cameroon have been under construction for a few weeks now.
For the year 2024, the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, requested a budget of 569.1 billion CFA francs in December 2023, compared to 491.4 billion CFA francs the previous year. This budget was intended to continue ongoing road works, as well as to build and rehabilitate new roads.
As the 2024 presidential elections approach, construction projects are underway. In Douala V, the company ZCCC has recently started trials for asphalting. The purpose of the trial run, as explained by the engineers, is to ensure the actual characteristics that the roadway must meet when in service.
Since Friday, March 22, 2024, demolition of certain buildings has begun on the Nkolmesseng main road project (Yaoundé V), which, for reasons related to the management of claims, still occupied the right-of-way. The work will have to accelerate and provide continuity to the road layout, especially in areas such as “Lycée Bilingue Entrance,” “Total Nkolmesseng,” and “Ottou Junction.” This marks a successful resolution of a consensus finally reached between the Urban Community of Yaoundé and the affected individuals.
In addition to these widespread road projects in the country, there is visible monitoring. Several companies have had their contracts terminated. This is the case on the Bouam-Diang-Andom section where the Ministry of Public Works terminates the contract of the company in charge of the work due to failure. The Minister of Public Works’ decision specifies that the company will not be able to bid on a tender for a period of two years.
Reactions
“When elections are approaching, that’s when you see the machines working on the roads everywhere, even Eneo pretends to have 3 days without cuts, your model is slow,” noted Venum237.
This sentiment is echoed by other Cameroonians who react. “That’s the truth, guys are busy with their little projects everywhere. Even the abandoned construction sites for five years have restarted and the publicity is massive. Their model is very slow, I’m not stupid,” emphasized an internet user.
Read the original article(French) on Journal du Cameroun
