(Business in Cameroon) - Since July 15, 2019, Yaoundé’s residents have been unable to access the services of transport company Stecy SA. Launched on February 13, 2017, thanks to a public-private partnership between Portuguese group Eximtrans Sarl/Irmaos Mota and Yaoundé Urban community, the company has stopped its mass transportation services. This activity suspension was announced by a communique published on July 15, 2019.

In this communique, Stecy SA’s general director Célestin Hermann Tsambou informs that this suspension is subsequent to a strike notice issued on July 8, 2019, by staff representatives.  While regretting the inconveniences created for users, the director assures "that a special session of the administrative board will be held as soon as possible to bring things back to normal."

Barely two years after its launch, Stecy SA is already going through hard times. As was the case for its predecessor Le Bus (2005-2016), the transport company’s staff regularly complain of its working conditions, irregular salaries, non-payment of some bonuses and transport equipment that regularly fail notably.  

Yet, the Portuguese partner promised to invest XAF13 billion within 10 years and put 150 buses into circulation. According to involved parties, these commitments have not been respected. For the time being, mass transport in Yaoundé, which was XAF200 per line (13 overall) has been interrupted.

Sylvain Andzongo