(Business in Cameroon) - The situation between the Moroccan group Alliances Construction and the Cameroonian ministry of housings is a bit tense because of the 800 social housings project.
Indeed, on July 4, 2018, Jean Claude Mbwentchou, the minister of housings visited the Eastern regions (where 100 of the above-mentioned 800 housings are to be built) to inquire on the work’s progress. The minister then required Alliances constructions to submit an actualized and realistic planning of the works. He also invited the company to pay workers on time to avoid strike movements. The official finally asked the company to deliver the works in September 2018 at the latest. Let’s note that for the time being, the completion rate is 45%.
The following day July 5, M. Mbwentchou went to Ngaoundéré, in the North. In that town, the completion rate for the 100 housings is 60%. The minister informed that in that town, the works should be imperatively delivered in November 2018. The company Alliances Construction was also asked to keep the sub-contractors on this project and avoid strike movements.
Let’s remind that the project for the construction of 800 social housings (CFA40 billion supported by Banque Atlantique group) was entrusted to the Moroccan bank Alliances Construction in 2014.
In March 2018, the minister of housings criticized “Alliances Construction Cameroon S.A’s noncompliance of the requirement to clear its sub-contractors who later turn out to be unable to do the works required from them because of their low technical and financial capabilities”. “This is the main reason for the delays observed and the difficulties to meet the deadlines”, he added.
Nevertheless, the government wishes the 800 housings to be delivered this year. It is a component of the three-year urgency plan initiated by authorities a little more than two years ago. Indeed, the housing component of this urgency plan focuses on the construction of social housings in 8 regional chief towns (100 per chief town except for Yaoundé and Douala).
S.A