(Business in Cameroon) - Eight enterprises, “potential” contractors of six projects in the transport sector have been selected, according to a statement from the ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional development (Minepat) last June 10, 2013.
Out of the 21 projects beckoning private-public partnership, the six projects would upgrade the transport infrastructure of the country. Two projects are on port infrastructure, three on railways and one on road. Foreign enterprises of French, South Korean and South African origin were selected but local companies could win sub-contracts. These companies would build, own, operate and transfer the infrastructure to the state of Cameroon.
Bolloré Africa Logistics : Kribi Deep seaport multi-purpose terminal
The building of a multipurpose terminal is the second phase of the ongoing Kribi deep sea port, to be built by Bolloré Africa Logistics Located in a growing industrial zone, Kribi, the terminal would ease the transportation of goods from the scores of mining ventures in the south and east regions of Cameroon. It could consist of a seaport, a ferry terminal for cargo and passenger, and cruise terminal.
Bouygues and DTP Terrassement : Edea-Kribi railway
100km long, the rail would link the energy town of Edea to the seaside city of Kribi, a growing metropolis. Goods would be ferried through this line to the Kribi deep seaport under construction. Bouygues and DTP Terrassement, a French consortium would construct the road, indicated the statement from Minepat.
Flasworx Capital Management : Douala-Limbe railway
Linking Douala, the economic hub of the country to the seaside resort town of Limbe by railway would aid in the movement of goods and persons to and from both ends. Although Douala has Cameron’s lone port, heavy cargo ships would in the future dock at the Limbe deep sea port said to be natural. Consequently, goods would enter through Limbe and by rail, they would be moved to Douala. The 70km railway line would be constructed by a South African company, Flasworx Capital Management.
Alstom Transport S.A : Yaoundé- Douala Tramways
Meanwhile, Alstom Transport S.A would build the Yaoundé- Douala Tramways (congested freeways), a small train system that is designed to transport people or material in a local region.
Guemgang/LPDC consortium : G-power cement plant
There is also Guemgang/LPDC consortium that will build the specialised port for cement in Limbe. G-power cement plant, a Korean company to produce 800,000 metric tons of cement is located here.
However, these enterprises chosen in the transport sector have a long way to go before work starts on the sites. “Transport ministry will examine in detail the technical offers by these pre-selected enterprises, examine adjustments that the enterprise could make to the project… negotiate the contract terms,” Pauline Irene Nguene, President of the support council for the realization of partnership projects (Carpa)at Minepat told the bilingual daily, Cameroon tribune last Tuesday.
Government gives a deadline of six months to the contractor to rally funds after the memorandum of understanding is signed.
Apart from Alstom Transport S.A that is yet to carry out studies on the environmental impact of the Yaoundé- Douala tramways, there are some of the projects that could take off faster, the President of Carpa said.