The state of progress of
projects of the 2016 road maintenance programme and the itineraries selected
for works of the 2017 road maintenance programme were the main activities on
day two of Public Works Minister's visit to the North West Region.
Confined with his central and
North West regional close collaborators in a hotel in Bamenda, Minister Nganou
Njoumessi for several hours cross examined the items in a bid to better
understand the situation of road network in a region whose major issues have
been around poor road infrastructure.
Being the expert and
administrator on the ground, the Regional Delegate for Public Works NW had the
opportunity to elaborately present the state of roads. According to Denis Awo
Ndang, the roads have different situational reports. Starting with N11
Bamenda-Bambui-Ndop, Wum -Befang-Bafut- Bamenda, P24 Bambui-Fundong all handed
to Edge construction company to backfill, fill potholes, do double and triple
dressing, masonry and place road signs, the Delegate remarked that works were
underway at 77.44% progress.
Denis Awo Ndang will regret the
very slow start of work on the Sabga-Nsei-Ndop 16.996km road awarded to Wallang
Richard due to the unavailability of bitumen.
N11 and Ring road stretches
from Kumbo-Nkambe, Nkambe-Mesaje, Mesaje-Weh awarded to Ets Sawi also came
under review with the conclusion that the works were satisfactory as surfacing
has been done up to Kumbo with progress rated at 35%. NAN Company ltd that
started works on the Weh-Wum, Wum-Befang and Befang Bafut Fundong-Weh since
July will be blame for not progressing satisfactorily.
For lack of delivery as
expected, a notice of formal warning has been introduced in the circuit for
signature to Erico and the Brothers company as concerns Ntafoang-Guzang
Mbengwi-Tudig, Nsongwa-Chomba and Bamben-Widikum roads the delegate indicated.
As concerns roads like
Benakuma-Bawouro-Akwaya, Bamali-Bambalang, Balikumbat-Bamukumbit, amongst
others Awo Ndang told the gathering that works were underway.
The rehabilitation and
construction works of engineering structures in the region will also come under
review with some like construction of a bridge over river Ntem at Kakar on the
Kakar-Sabongari road and reinforced bridge over river Japan between Jakiri and
Foumban declared completed.
The Minister who appreciated
the state of progress will note that there is need for those whose
responsibility it is to do their work within record time and direct possible
difficulties to the appropriate quarters. He will also regrate the slow and
care free altitude of some contractors adding that no such carelessness will be
tolerated in the use of state funds for the execution of state projects.
Nganou Njoumessi will also
encourage his collaborators in the region who complained of lack of working
facilities like cars to be patient adding that their needs will be duly
attended to.
The Minister of Public Works
leaves Bamenda with the hopes of many being the eventual taring of the
Babadjou-Bamenda road which he launched May 16 in Santa.