By DOH JAMES SONKEY
In order to avoid a situation of total demobilisation of construction companies on some 51 road projects covering a total of 3,234,403 km within the framework of the Infrastructure Development Programme of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi has released a document titled Guide to Health Security Recommendations.
The guide intended for the continuity of activities in the building and public works sector during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon reminds contractors of their responsibility to adopt preventive measures in order to protect the health of their staff, encouraging them as well to watch out for their health and safety as well as that of their entourage.
Minister Nganou Djoumessi underlined that “within the context this health crisis of exceptional magnitude, the implementation of these measures is an unavoidable condition for construction and public works activities. It is the responsibility of each contractor to make this happen in the field.”
Some of the completed roads and engineering structures are being received by the Public Works boss accompanied by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Public Works, Armand Ndjodom.
The Presidential Infrastructure Development Programme that runs from 2018 to 2022, the State Engineer explained, is aimed at boosting both national and sub-regional road networks in order to facilitate movement of goods and persons within the country and beyond the country as well.
Such is the case with Sagmelima-Bikoula 65 km road which execution rate presently at 67%, expected not only to contribute to sub-regional integration by ensuring connectivity by road, thanks to the development of the Yaounde-Brazzaville sub regional corridor, but to boost trade ties, develop the localities crossed and improving the living conditions of the population in the project’s area of influence.
Bikoula-Djoum 38th km road which has similar objectives like the Sagmelima-Bikoula road will generate 221 direct jobs created for Cameroonians including 121 for local residents, improve access to basic facilities such as water points, schools, health centres etc.
About 15 roads have already been completed and are being received by the Minister of Public Works. They include: Djoum-Mintom 98 km road, Mintom-Lele 67.5km road, Lele-Ntam-Mbalam 553km road, Bamenda- Batibo-Numba 82km road, Bachuo-Akagbe-Mamfe-Ekok 63km road, Ngaoundere-Mbere 89km road, Mbe Cliff including access to the structures (15km)Yoko-Lena 44.9km road etc.
