President Paul Biya of Cameroon has emphasized the importance of road infrastructure development in his end-of-year address to the nation.
He acknowledged the poor state of roads in the country, which has been a concern for many, including the Director General of National Security Martin Mbarga Nguelle and CPDM senators Mbella Moki Charles and Françoise Puene.
Despite the challenges faced by the sector, including funding and rainfall, Biya announced that 446 kilometers of roads were paved nationwide, and 228 kilometers were rehabilitated last year. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the road network, stating that it does not reflect the efforts and sacrifices made for its rehabilitation and expansion. « I can assure you that the current state of our road network does not reflect the efforts and sacrifices being made for its rehabilitation and expansion, » he said. To address the funding challenge, Biya instructed the reorganization of the Road Fund to enhance its capacity to mobilize funding for road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects. He also acknowledged the need to tackle corruption in the sector, promising to take firm and urgent measures. « I have instructed the reorganization of the Road Fund, with a view to enhancing its capacity to mobilize the funding required for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects, » he said. Regarding corruption, Biya declared, « I do not lose sight of governance issues, which undoubtedly call for firm and urgent measures. I will ensure that these issues are tackled. »
There is Hope!
For 2025, Biya announced several major road infrastructure projects, including: Road rehabilitation projects: Bekoko-Limbe-Idenau and Mutengene-Buea sections. Long-anticipated road projects: Ngaoundere-Garoua, Ebolowa–Akom II-Kribi, and Mora-Kousseri roads. Motorway construction: Urban section of the Yaounde-Nsimalen motorway and Phase 2 of the Yaounde-Douala motorway. These projects aim to improve Cameroon’s road network, which is crucial for the country’s economic development.
Jude Viban
