Cornerstone of Economic Development

Commentary

One of the most important things the population has often requested from the administration is the provision of good roads. Politicians are quite aware of this and have often worked towards satisfying the thirst of the population even if with challenges.

The economic development of any nation can never be rendered concrete without the development of its road infrastructure. In Cameroon for instance, no region seems to be fully satisfied with the level of its road infrastructure in spite of government's effort in enhancing the sector.

The growing demand for roads, especially paved ones, with increasing insistence has certainly not left President Paul Biya indifferent. In one of his engagements announced in his New Year message to the nation, he stated inter alia that special attention will in 2018 be given to road infrastructure.

" We will also maintain our resolve to implement our major projects, with a special focus on road infrastructure", he assured.

This statement though so short, is coming from the President of the Republic and consequently has far reaching effects. The ball is certainly now in the camp of government. This will entail identifying and stratifying the various road networks that require special attention in 2018. Of course, it will be unthinkable to imagine that all roads in the country will be taken care of within a year.

In order to accelerate economic growth, the Head of State instituted a three-year Emergency Plan whose implementation started in 2015. This plan takes cognisance of the important role the road sector is expected to play as a major economic trigger. As stated by the Prime Minister, Head of Government in parliament while presenting government's Economic, Financial, Social and Cultural Programme for 2018 Financial Year, construction works on the first five accessibility roads have started. Worthy of note are: the Maroua-Bogo road, Soa-Esse-Awae road, Kumba-Ekondo Titi road, Douala-Bonepoupa and Bonepoupa;Yabassi stretch, and Mandjou-Akoka and Akoka-Batouri road. Within the same emergency programme, some roads are being highlighted as having been maintained and some newly constructed.

These include: the first phase of the Yaounde-Douala motorway, the construction of the Edea-Kribi- Lolabe motorway, the completion of rehabilitation works on the Ngaoundere-Garoua stretch of road; the start of rehabilitation works on the Yaounde- Mbalmayo-Ebolowa-Ambam highway, the construction of railway viaducts on the second bridge over the Wou...