By Noela EBOB BISONG
In a July 7 correspondence, the Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh notified the Secretary General in charge of services at the Prime Minister’s office of the agreement of the Presidency, for a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between Cameroon’s ministry of Transport and Turkish outfit, Yenigun Construction, for the realisation of the Limbe deep seaport project. According to the note, the MoU focuses on a public-private partnership on BOT basis (Build – Operate – Transfer).
The seeming good news for the country and especially the people of Limbe who have been waiting to see this dream project come to light, has however been met with a level of mixed feelings, three months to the Presidential election. Talks to construct a deep seaport in Limbe have been re-choed for over 12 years, each time met with applause and ululations, only for the project to go back to sleep. Questions are currently flying in the air if this recent move is a calculated election campaign to sweet talk the population to cast ballots in exchange to see the dream project, or whether the government means real business finally.
At the start of the year, talks of the rehabilitation of roads across Fako were loud, but actions on ground have been whispers, observers say.
Nonetheless, there is some iota of hope hinging on the reported credibility of the construction firm, Yenigun construction, reputed for having successfully constructed the Douala Japoma stadium, among the country’s pride in the sports sector. The 50.000 seat capacity stadium, with an indoors multipurpose sports hall, two training fields and one olympic swimming complex and outdoor sports
facilities, done in class and modern standards, remains a plus for the Turkish construction firm.
With focus on Construction, Energy, Tourism, and Consultancy,
Yenigun Construction is reported to be a credible body, never compromising on quality. From 1973, the company is said to have completed numerous projects in Turkey and abroad.
Some opinions hold that whether the government means business this time or not, only time will tell.