By Doh James Sonkey
The Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey signed last March 19, 2025 on behalf of the government, a FCFA 216 billion loan agreement for the financing of the transport sector support programme phase 4 (reconstruction of the Douala-Ndjamena economic corridor, Ngaoundere-Garoua section) with the Acting African Development Bank Director General for the Central African region, Solomane Kone.
The event at the Amphi300 of the Ministry of the Economy in Yaounde was attended among others by Public Works Minister, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, Transport Minister, Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehi, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Public Contracts Ministry, Ibrahim Talba Malla etc.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey explained that, ‘‘we have just experienced a significant moment, a decisive moment for the economic and social development of our country. By the will of the Head of State, we have taken steps with the African Development Bank to bring about the reconstruction of the Ngaoundere-Garoua junction of 249km, which represents a major junction of the corridor between Douala and N’Djamena. The African Development Bank’s contribution is not only to rebuild the road, but to engage in socio-economic recovery operations in all the countries that will be crossed by this road in question, in order to ensure economic inclusion, to give more opportunities to young women in terms of employment and to restore the mobility and connectivity necessary for a dynamic cross-border trade.’’
He continued that ‘‘what must be retained in this project is that the Cameroonian people have worked hard so that the work can begin in April 2025. It is a strong expectation of the population, it is, a legitimate expectation. This expectation has certainly retained the attention of the Head of State, who has put everything in place so that inclusion, integration at the national level continues to benefit from the actions of development carried out by the government. This is why we were happy to have around us all the stakeholders.’’
Solomane Kone said, ‘‘it is one of the most strategic corridors in Cameroon. Not only does it allow, from this corridor to connect other parts of Cameroon, but also to have access to neighbouring countries. As you know, regional integration is a strong mandate of the African Development Bank Group.’’