Cameroon Allocates 2 Billion CFA Francs for Long-Awaited Edéa-Kribi Road Rehabilitation Study
Cameroon’s Road Infrastructure: A Path to Development
Cameroon’s commitment to enhancing its road infrastructure is evident in the recent announcement of nearly 2 billion CFA francs allocated for updating studies related to the rehabilitation of the Edéa-Kribi road. This project, which was announced four years ago, is a testament to the government’s dedication to improving connectivity and fostering economic growth.
The Edéa-Kribi road is a crucial component of Cameroon’s transportation network, serving as a vital link between the port city of Kribi and the rest of the country. The rehabilitation of this road is expected to significantly boost trade and tourism, providing a smoother and more efficient route for the movement of goods and people.
The allocation of funds for updated studies underscores the complexities involved in such large-scale infrastructure projects. These studies are essential for addressing any changes in the project’s scope, environmental impact assessments, and the integration of new technologies or construction methods.
Moreover, the government’s broader vision for road infrastructure development is ambitious. With plans to allocate CFA508 billion to roadworks in 2024, the Ministry of Public Works aims to continue the momentum of ongoing projects while initiating new ones. This includes the construction and rehabilitation of roads like the Lolabe Expressway and the Bangem-Nguti road, which are poised to further enhance the nation’s road network.
The Edéa-Kribi road rehabilitation is part of a larger strategy to increase Cameroon’s road network, which has seen a remarkable growth of over 121% in 13 years. Such developments not only facilitate domestic travel but also strengthen Cameroon’s position as a central hub in the Central African region.
The investment in road infrastructure is a clear indicator of Cameroon’s resolve to advance its socio-economic landscape. By prioritizing connectivity and accessibility, the country is paving the way for a more prosperous future, where every journey contributes to the nation’s progress.
The government has just recruited a consultant responsible for updating the feasibility studies of the project, a sine qua no condition for the contracting of the company awarded the contract.
The signing of the financing agreement between the State of Cameroon and the African Development Bank (AfDB) is ultimately not the main obstacle to be lifted to finally hope for an effective start of the rehabilitation works on the Edéa-Kribi road, as suggested by the Cameroonian Minister of Public Works (Mintp) Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi in an interview given to national radio on February 18, 2024. There is indeed a requirement upstream. Indeed, on June 12, 2024, a government decision announced that the technical design office Groupement ACE Ingénieur Conseils/Alpha Consult was selected for the “signing of a contract for the execution of the service relating to the completion of complete project management of the rehabilitation works of the Edéa-Kribi road: Carrefour Edéa/Kribi-Pont Bivouba section”.
It took more than a year after the request for a proposal was submitted to publish the results. However, according to sources close to the file, the consultant will have to carry out the review and then update the environmental and social impact study (ESIA) produced around three years ago. For an amount of 1.556 billion CFA francs, the ACE Ingénieur Conseils/Alpha Consult duo is also required to carry out the technical control of the work planned for 42 months according to the ministerial note consulted by EcoMatin.
Still a long way to go
As things stand, the project announced at least 4 years ago remains uncertain for this year, as there is still no known deadline for the delivery of the study. All things considered, “this review is carried out because, between the moment when the first degradation survey was made and now, it is probable that the degradations have increased”, justifies a source at the Mintp before specifying: “if this review is not carried out, there may be a lot of disconnect between the project, as validated by the actors and that executed. This is what can often cause amendments or the introduction of new prices. in addition, we learn, that it is only based on the review of the studies carried out that the call for tenders will be drawn up to formalize the company winning the contract. As mentioned above, the question of financing with the donor (the ADB); a government partner in the renovation of this 110 km long road section, has not yet been completed. “Support from external financing, it must be admitted, is sometimes long. There are a certain number of requirements from the financial partner and even the technical partner that must be respected,” warned Mintp four months ago. For the record, the final report of the environmental and social impact study initially published rather expects a duration of work of 02 years for an amount of 99 billion CFA francs while the Priority Investment Program (PIP) lists the Edéa-Kribi road among the road projects having started in 2023 and due to be completed in 2027, i.e. 04 years for a forecast cost of 102 billion CFA francs. Before its rehabilitation, the Edéa-Kribi road will have swallowed up more than 2 billion CFA francs for its maintenance over the last two years. In April 2022, the French Razel won the market for an amount of 1.949 billion CFA francs. At the beginning of November 2023, the Mintp released 83 million CFA francs for the tasks of “surveying damage, installing construction sites, marking potholes identified, cleaning and filling potholes”.
