BY NDUMBE BELL JG in Douala
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute has made his recommendations clear as he ramped up support for the extension and construction of a new quai and a mixed terminal, during a ceremony to lay the foundation stone on the right-hand flank of the River Wouri of the Ports Authority of Douala (PAD).
This happened last July 25, 2025 on the site that the Prime Minister, Head of Government recounted that the project to construct a new quai and a mixed terminal is taking place where since 141 years ago, the German invaders and Douala elite chiefs held a meeting, and today, thanks to the diplomacy of the Head of State, the area is now described culturally as an intangible UNESCO site.
His Excellency recommended that the potential, embedded within PAD, needed a profound modernisation of port infrastructure that allows a substantial improvement in technical performance, notably through the streamlining, loading and unloading operations, reducing delays, and optimising logistics chains. The Prime Minister stated that these advances will have a significant impact on lowering port passage costs which are a determining factor in a ports attractiveness to ship owners, shippers, and logistics investors.
The PM expounded that Cameroon needed a modern and efficient infrastructure to promote competitive, regional economic integration in a context where the leaders are resolutely committed to implementing the African Continental Free Trade Zone (ZLECAF). He reminded PAD on the issues of complying with international standards, on a safety measures, sustainability and digitalisation. The PM said all these put together will favourably position Douala Port in global regular maritime lines while stimulating industrialisation and job creation at the local level.
Dion Ngute admitted that PAD has embraced the dynamic renovation and modernisation which is underlined in the master development plan 2020 – 2050 within the multiple visions of the Head of State. He also highlighted a flurry of envisaged projects for the entire Douala population. Some of them such as national identity production centers, an artisanal fishing value center, 10.000 social housing unit projects in Douala III and the Douala East Road project bypass, to name a few.
The Director of the port platform in partnership with PAD on a win – win basis stated that the two-phased project is envisaged to cost FCFA 282 billion, being developed in 36-hectare platform to increase port traffic by 2030 from 8 billion tons to 11 billion tons or over. It will be a 900-quai line which they say, will create berths of 53,54 and 55.
The 36-hectare platform will be developed as a storage island and parking area for storage units of 120.000 tons of bulk connected to quai through conveyors. There will have to be two administrative buildings including some 3000 square meters, two equipment and maintenance workshops of 3.250 square meters, two storage warehouses of 3000 and 12.500 square meters landscape, landscape station for measuring flows, a fire -fighting center, a power supply station, a road network connected to the M3 aid, a rainwater and waste water collection network with pre-treatment network among others.
According to the Director of the port platform, the project is expected to generate 4000 jobs. The state is envisaged to receive revenue of FCFA 258 billion of taxes and FCFA 152 billion additional revenue. PAD will earn FCFA 106 billion in revenue as fees.
The DG of PAD, Cyrus Ngo’o earlier said the same reasons which have been already referred to in the previous events, ignited PAD’s commitment to go into extension and infrastructural projects within the context of the 2020 – 2050 master plan which falls within the vision of the Head of State.
He said a contract was signed since March 2022 for five years with Africa Ports Development among others, for the realisation of the project.
The GM highlighted the technical and known socio – economic benefits, some of them include the creation of 4000 direct and more indirect jobs for the youth. He expressed his profound gratitude to all those who attended.