(Business in Cameroon) - At end-September 2018, the Potable Water Supply Project in the city of Yaoundé from the Sanaga River (PAEPYS) was completed at 30%, the water and energy minister (Minee) informed.
The project valued at XAF399 billion and financed by Eximbank China is expected to fill the water supply deficit in Yaoundé, by providing an additional 300,000 m3/d in its initial phase and 400,000 m3/d in the expansion phase. It also covers areas including: Batchenga, Obala, Nkometou, Soa and Ntui.
According to detailed information provided by Minee, feasibility studies are 81% finished, the Nachtigal raw water collection and pumping station is 15% built, while the water treatment unit in Emana-Batchenga is 17% completed. Also, the 90kV/30kV transformer substation in Nkometou is at a 43% completion rate; 18% for the treated water pumping station in Nkometou and 60% of required materials and equipment is supplied.
Regarding expropriation procedures under the project, Minee said a compensation of XFA650 million has already been paid to populations affected on the pipeline corridor linking the catchment station to the treatment plant. Let’s note that work is entrusted to Chinese Sinomach.
Yaoundé currently has a little over 2 million inhabitants and drinking water peak demand is estimated at 315,000 m3/day. The only source that supplies the city, Akomnyada water treatment plant, produces, at best, nearly 100,000 m3/d. This creates a gap of about 215,000 m3/d. As a result, populations suffer drinking water rationing.
S.A