Ngaoundere - Garoua Road : Other Stakeholders On Board

M onday August 10, 2026 marked a significant milestone in the lives of the population of Adamawa and North Regions, as fresh hopes have been rekindled following the reconstruction of the Ngaoundere - Garoua road. It came like a sigh of relieve when Minister Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi launched the reconstruction works in Gouna, Lagdo subdivision, signalling the start of a new era for the users of the stretch of the road which is in an advanced state of degradation over the past years. The reconstruction of the section of the National Road No. 1, has brought immense joy to the road users as the first Deputy Mayor of Lagdo noted. By the time the road reconstruction project which is expected to last for 24 months ends, denizens and road users along the stretch will also say goodbye to enormous suffering and long hours of traumatic experience travelling on the road. Reports say it takes 12-15 hours’ drive for the 242km long road from Ngaoundere to Garoua for a distance that hitherto took roughly six hours. The importance of the stretch of the road cannot be over emphasized as it is part of the Douala- N’Djamena corridor and also serves as the link not only for the three northern re­ gions but also for the rest of the country. It is therefore described as the back­ bone as far as road network is concerned in northern Cameroon. The economic and strategic importance of the corridor in the sub-region needs no further belabouring given that huge quantity of goods shipped through the Douala Seaport transit to land­ locked Chad through that stretch. It therefore entails dense and busy traffic of merchandise vehicles and other automobiles which ply the road on a daily basis. The corridor is a lifeline for Chad and northern Cameroon as over 1 million tons of goods worth about FCFA 340 billion transit to Chad. Given the strategic importance of the road, govern­ ment considers it as a priority. It is in this regard that the President of the Republic promised the re­ construction of the highway as part of his Special Road Rehabilitation Programme. By launching the start of the reconstruction works which are expected to cost a whopping FCFA 223 billion with funds from the African Development Bank, African Deve­ lopment Fund and the government of Cameroon, President Paul Biya, as usual, has kept his promise to the people. Spending a colossal amount of this nature entails enormous sacrifices especially at a time when resources are scarce. The huge financial investment notwithstanding, the President of the Republic through the government is determined to improve the socio-economic life and wellbeing of the riverine communities along the stretch. That is why the works to be carried out on the road includes widening, socio-economic facilities, and markets. Also, the reconstruction will generate lots of job opportunities for the youth. As the adage “to whom much is given, much is also expected” goes, a lot is thus expected from other stakeholders as far as the road is concerned. President Paul Biya has kept his promise, the government has scouted for funds and awarded the contracts and execution has been launched. It is therefore time for other stakeholders to play their own role not only to ensure that the reconstruction work is successfully but also to guarantee that quality work is done on the road. The various stakeholders have their distinctive roles to play and must play it effi­ ciently. To begin with, the five Chinese companies contracted for the job on the five lots, must show proof of professionalism by delivering quality road infrastructure whi...