By Doh James Sonkey
Public Works Minister, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi has declared that “no matter the difficulties we are facing, the ring road must be completed; tarring has already started and will go on.” He made the declaration recently at the Emergence Ministerial Building in Yaounde at the close of national consultations on 62 construction, rehabilitations and maintenance works that are ongoing in the country in 2024. The press conference was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Prof Felix Zogo and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works, Ebang Mve Urbain Noel etc.
The Public Works boss said “I am satisfied with what is going on and we are moving forward with the decision taken by the President of the Republic, H.E Paul Biya to make available elements of the Defence and Security to accompany those constructions. This decision came to really push forward what is being down.”
He said for “Babadjou-Bamenda stretch of road, I will use this opportunity to congratulate BUNS Company working there. I am not campaigning for anybody but when something is properly done, the person must be congratulated. BUNS is working there in a very difficult environment. You do not work there on Mondays and from time to time some boys will come and ask you to stop. The section Babadjou-Matazem is entirely tarred, the section Matazem-Welcome to Bamenda is also completed and the roundabout will be completed by the end of the year for us to begin the urban section of the ring road.’’
Minister Nganou Djoumessi launched an appeal for the population of the North West region to support the construction process so that the wish of President Paul Biya can be accomplished in the region.
The Minister took time to explain that ‘‘for Ekondo Titi-Kumba road, the Rapid Intervention Battalion better known by its French acronym BIR is in charge of the construction process. The road under construction is a high quality one given what my Inspector General and the Director General told me after their visit to the construction site. Our main concern is the heavy rain falling in that area. Bangem-Nguti section is the same exercise handled by the BIR. Here I will like to congratulate the population of this area because they have organised themselves to accompany the BIR, making the area a no risk zone.”
The objectives of the meeting were among other things, to know the state of the road network, listen to the difficulties presented by the contractors and give alternative solution where necessary. Minister Nganou Djoumessi said the following reasons account for the accelerated degradation of roads; for having outlived its lifespan, uncivil behaviour, an allocation of resources insufficient to maintain the road network etc.
Road contractors and control missions assured the Public Works Minister that they are committed to deliver the stretches of road programmed for 2024.