– BY NDUMBE BELL JOSEPH GASTON IN DOUALA
The CFAO Consumer Network has inaugurated the 5th agency of its’ subsidiary Carrefour Market located on the right-hand side of the Wouri river in Bonaberi.
The FCFA 5 billion Carrefour Market project brings to CFAO the 7th in the country with two others located in Yaounde. Other CFAO investments not included.
The ceremony that took place on Friday, November 10, was presided over by the Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana in the presence of the Governor of the Littoral Ivaha Diboua’s representative, the representative of the City Mayor who is the Mayor of the Bonaberi, Douala traditional rulers, the DG of the Investment Promotion agency Consul General of the France, Ambassador of Japan, other regional and local personalities and of course the host Philippe Marcillon Managing Director of CFAO consumer Network in Cameroon, etc.
Like an octopus, the project has been raised on or absorbed nearly 6000 m² piece of land of which the commercial area proper is 1.500 m². It is spaced with 70 car parks and two restaurants said to be well known namely La Force du Poulet and Carino Italian food.
The new Carrefour brand is said to have created 115 direct jobs that will actively take part working on a daily basis. In addition to this, are 16 packers and 20 others for security and cleaning.
Natasha N. Ndome Bangweny from being Sector Manager of the Carrefour Warda hypermarket Yaounde in 2022 to being promoted as the maiden Director of Carrefour Market Bonaberi, assured the entire Bonaberi Community of their readiness to welcome them with special attention, provide state of the art services sell fresh, hygienic products since she has a dynamic young work force to deliver the goods. So, she is ready to meet the expectations of the Bonaberi consumers.
The Managing Director of the Cooperation For Africa Oversees (CFAO) Philippe Marcillon who spoke of a concept of international standards began by presenting the entire CFAO powerhouse before resorting to the inauguration proper. He said he was highly elated, and thankful to all public-private and traditional stakeholders for their contributions that have enabled the realisation of this project.
Monsieur Marcillon said part of their networth is sourced from 40 percent of made in Cameroon goods of hygienic and high quality only measurable to international standards. There are 400 Cameroonian producers and distributors supplying this supermarket, 11000 referenced products and a workforce of 115 direct jobs. The M.D. underscored the need to work in accordance with state objectives to fight against the high cost of living by going to lengths to make prices attractive and affordable.
The Managing Director continued that one of their basic objectives is to meet the desires of the community in which they are operational. He also mentioned that one of their daily obsessions is to satisfy customers using the young dynamic workforce earlier mentioned.
Before declaring open the ceremony, the Minister of Commerce Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana in his keynote address, stated that this investment is in accordance with urban development goals and other major development directives of the Head of State, that is why the state is very supportive of the Carrefour brand project. He made it clear that they wanted to see made in Cameroon goods more up the linear curve from the present 40 percent to 70 percent in their shelves.
In another goal, the minister made emphasis on the fight against the high cost of living at this era of global economic turbulence. He said there were challenges but all stakeholders will continue to work together for the purpose of attaining socio-economic goals. He hailed the creation of jobs as an encouraging milestone and that they will continue to support CFAO in his honest quest of investing in the state.
The Minister of Commerce also commented on the commerce of proximity that is embodied in this project. The Minister then called on Carrefour not to relax their efforts to enable the systematic drop in prices when the opportunities arose.
Another speech from the Mayor of Douala 4 (Bonaberi) representing the Douala City Mayor as well, called on CFAO to be prepared to face competition among other supermarkets in an area like Bonaberi, which is rapidly considered as the economic hub of the Littoral region. She welcomed the efforts made by all stakeholders to create a project that has brought services and products at their doorsteps.