France pumps in FCFA 30 billion for Bamenda roads construction, rehab  

The French government has made available the sum of FCFA 30 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the city of Bamenda in the North west region. The funding is within the framework of the Debt Reduction-Development Contract (C2D) Urban Regional Capital Programmes through which the French government has been transforming cities across the country.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, (MINHDU), Celestine Ketcha Courtes, and the French Ambassador to Cameroon, Thierry Marchand signed a Memorandum of Intent to that effect during their visit to the North West regional capital on Thursday April 18. This was in the presence of the Director of the French Development Agency, (AFD) in the country.

Roads within the city of Bamenda are in a sorry state. Some stretches have been neglected and for the most parts, allowed to deteriorate following over half a decade of the bloody armed conflict raging in the English speaking regions of the country.

But the sorry story of the road infrastructure within the third largest city in the country will soon be history when construction and rehabilitation works are completed, authorities said during the signing of the C2D financing deal.

Minister Ketcha Courtes called on the authorities and population of Bamenda to embrace the project which she said will create jobs for the youths and also women of the city and region at large.

“I will make sure that 99% of those to be recruited by the companies to execute the project should come from the North West Region,” said the Minister whose words were received with a thunderous applause.

She said by the time the programme is done with, Bamenda will have one of the best road infrastructure in the country. The member of government also called on separatist fighters fighting to create their own country they call Ambazonia to drop their weapons and join in efforts to transform the region.

Project to change mindsets

To the population, Minister Ketcha Courtes invited them to work for peace to reign so that nothing will perturb works when they eventually start.

On his part, the French Ambassador to Cameroon, Thierry Marchand expressed happiness that they have finally initiated the C2D programme in Bamenda – the last phase of the programme that has been implemented in the country for over 10 years now.

“This programme is important because it will transform the city of Bamenda and change lives,” the French diplomat said adding that he was confident “the programme will also change the people’s mindsets too”.

Ambassador Marchand went further that: “We are here to pave the way for peace in Cameroon, and we are sure this program will help the start to find a way to solve this problem”.

Imminent start of works

While thanking the Cameroon and French governments for the funding aimed at giving the city of Bamenda a new facelift, the Mayor of the City, Paul Achobong, announced that works would commence soon.

“We thank God that we have been granted this C2D project of FCFA 30 billion. Any moment from now, works on roads within the city of Bamenda will commence. We are very grateful with the offer and want to thank the minister and the French ambassador,” the City Mayor said.

At the end of their visit, both the Minister and the French ambassador promised to be back soonest to receive the projects, though some Bamenda city dwellers city dwellers have expressed skepticism given that the city is noted for promises that are made which are hardly materialized. Many are hoping that things would not end at the level of promises as has been the case with other projects.

The C2D is a financing mechanism aimed at relieving indebted poor countries, and restructure the debts of these countries as a way to fight against poverty. Cameroon was among first beneficiary countries of the scheme following the signing of the C2D convention in June 2006. This was two months after the country had attained the completion point of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative resulting to the cancellation of 70% of its external debts.

First published in NewsWatch newspaper No 174 of Monday, April 29, 2024.