Temps de lecture : 3 minutes
Design and construction works on phase 2 of the 141.1-km-long Yaounde – Douala motorway, linking Bibodi to Douala, have been launched on 2 October 2024 by the Minister of Public Works, in the presence of the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, the Centre Region Governor and a large number of local residents.
This progress is bringing to reality the results of recommendations resulting from a visit by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA. Indeed, the Yaounde – Douala motorway was one of the projects highlighted during discussions between Cameroonian and Chinese parties. Some of the objectives underlying the execution of works on this phase 2 are linking the cities of Yaounde and Douala, facilitating trade within the Central African sub-region through the Douala – N’Djamena, Douala – Bangui and Douala – Brazzaville corridors, improving transport and transit on these corridors and contributing to the development of the localities crossed by the infrastructure, among others. The Minister of Public Works pointed out that the State of Cameroon’s commitment to CFHEC was not only as a result of excellent relations between Cameroon and China, but also due to the quality of the works this company executed between Yaounde and Bibodi. In his speech, Mr Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, reassured local residents affected by the project on the measures to be taken towards compensating them. He urged the population to be receptive, have civic values, and not to obstruct the work progress during the execution process.
In this regard, it is important to stress that the report assessing the property impacted by the project has been finalised by the Centre Region Governor’s Office, following information and awareness-raising campaigns carried out among the local population. As for the cost, an estimated 880 billion for Phase 2 was cited. The Minister of Public Works pointed out that the project will be under a unit price contract, with the company being remunerated on the basis of the services provided. The key specifications of the infrastructure were presented by Mr Wen, CFHEC’s Project Director. This second phase will cover a total length of 141.1 km, with 34.5 km of roads connecting to the existing road network. The layout of the Yaounde – Douala motorway project (Phase II) comprises five sections as follows: Bibodi – Bodmon: 39.5 km, Bodmon – Edea East (Song Dong): 34 km, Edea East (Song Dong) – Edea West (Logbadjeck): 30 km, Edea West (Logbadjeck) – Pitti Gare: 18 km and, Pitti Gare – Massoumbou: 19.5 km. The company made it clear that it aims not only to work towards a legacy that will go down in gold in the history of infrastructure in Cameroon, but also to turn the project into a source of jobs for local residents while the works are under way.
Moreover, these Phase 2 works are due to be completed within a deadline of thirty-six months, considering that all the conditions are met.