BY NDUMBE BELL JG in Douala
The materialisation of the expansion and competitive drive of the Ports Authority of Douala (PAD), to make it a port of reference in the Gulf of Guinea and that of the Central African Basin, has risen to a boiling point with the arrival of the Prime Minister PM, Head of Government and entourage to lay the foundation stone at the Dibamba Missole industrial port enclavement of the Dibamba river, recently.
The mayor of the area, (in the presence of public, traditional and other community leaders who played host to senior government and private business leaders, presided over by the PM), enjoined the community to support this hefty project in every way and expressed their overriding gratitude to the administration of PAD, the business partnership (PPP) and government operatives who are guaranteeing the successful transition of the project.
The mayor pointed out that, for the benefits that will accrue to their community, PAD has contributed generously to the success of the project which he hailed as another historic milestone. He acknowledged and appreciated the team work done by PAD’s mantra and financial stakeholders such as the government and Arise.
According to a read-out from the administration of PAD, the initiative is to spearhead the dual ambition of strengthening and expanding the operational capacity of the Douala-Bonaberi port to increase its competitivity within the framework of PAD’s 2020 – 2050 development Master Plan. It is to expand logistics and industrial infrastructure to be abreast with the rising demand of sustainable development and economic competitiveness.
The public private partnership (PPP) between PAD and Arise of the almost 122 hectares of the Dibamba Douala Ports Logistics Platform (DDLP) located on the banks of the Dibamba river will extend the Douala – Bonaberi cluster which is currently handling 70 percent of the nation’s foreign trade and the gateway to international commerce in Cameroon and CEMAC, including its disadvantaged countries of Chad and the Central African Republic. This will significantly improve the efficiency, capacity and connectivity within and beyond the region.
Equally, according to PAD’s General Manager GM, Cyrus Ngo’o, the DDID which is the Dibamba Douala Ports Industrial Platform, another 350 hectares space, is earmarked for the development and management of Arise, designed to attract both domestic and international investors.
According to the GM, this part of their commitment, will boost and catalyze the manufacturing, commercialization and export of mmad-in-Cameroon goods, import substitution and the promotion of exports in the Pan-African Common Market (also ZLECAF in French).
The key sectors envisaged in this industrial zone are agro-industry including cocoa, cassava, maize, millet, banana, groundnuts and sorghum. Other investments to be located at this port includes timber processing, textile, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, ceramics and in mineral processing such as bauxite used for the production of aluminum, just to name a few. The contraints of the port now have a solution.
The GM made a strong appeal to government for its continuous support to create a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful realisation of the project and then appreciated the collaboration of all the sectors of government such as the ministry of Lands, Arise, other financial heavyweights, local and national leaders for their contributions.
The CEO of Arise said this was a defining moment for the socio-economic development of Cameroon. He stated that they believed in the shared vision in realising this project as a win-win initiative to employ 15.000 direct and indirect jobs. “We build ecosystems”, Arise continued and that even this day another contract was to be signed with those responsible to hand over 20.000 hectares of land for other infrastructures such as road networks and residential areas. Arise expressed gratitude to PAD and Africa-France Corporation.
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded him and his entourage. He stated that the project is within the framework of the Head of State’s vision to give the port of Douala the visibility it deserves. “Despite all the problems we have faced, government strongly backs this project”, he emphasised. The PM acknowledged the efforts contributed by the grassroot, regional, national and international collaborators. He brought messages from the Head of State, asking that the Littoral Governor, Samuel Ivaha Deboua, and the General Manager be decorated with the highest of the state, among other activities.
Some of the major socio-economic benefits envisaged in this zone are; through Dibamba revenues through taxes are envisaged at 200 million dollars in 10 years. On wealth creation through import substitution innovation and business growth revenues envisaged at 4 billion dollars in 10 years. Foreign direct investment through the enhancement of economic partnerships and capital influx is expected to hit revenues worth one (1) billion dollars in 10 years, aside from the direct and indirect jobs estimated at 15 000 workforces for the youth.