search results

This is the main recommendation to emerge from the meeting chaired by the Minister of Public Works this Wednesday March 27, 2024 on the commissioning of the Mbargué ferry in Haute-Sanaga. This important working session brought together the entire project team around the MINTP. The construction work of this trough which has a capacity of 25 to 35 tonnes on the Sanaga River, in the Center region, departments of Haute-Sanaga and Lom and Djerem, was carried out by the company Noha Service for a total amount of 350,000,000 FCFA, excluding taxes, financed by the Ministry of Public Works. After the construction of this ferry, the work completion level of which was 95% in 2015, a commissioning test was successfully carried out. However, its provisional reception and commissioning were prevented by some constraints. According to the presentations made by the departmental delegates of Public Works of Haute-Sanaga and Lom and Djerem, these difficulties relate among other things to the unavailability of access roads to the ferry, the compensation demanded by the local populations before the construction of the access routes to the ferry and payment of the remaining accounts required by the winning company. In order to definitively lift these constraints and carry out additional work with a view to putting the Mbargué ferry into service, the project owner gave the following recommendations: close the company's long-standing contract with a balance of expenses, deploy a technical team on the site with a view to carrying out an economic study which could lead to the opening of access and navigation and finally, contact the competent prefects to resolve the problems linked to compensation. Clément Noumsi

the company requests partial acceptance. In order to facilitate their execution, the project owner submitted in two phases, the maintenance work to stabilizing products of the regional road R 0609, Manki II-Foumbot which extends over a length of 123 km in the Western region, Noun department. With a progress level of 61.01% to date, the company is requesting partial receipt of its services. This work is being carried out by the company Lenn Company Limited for a total amount of 1,497,184,346 FCFA, All Taxes Included, with financing from the BIP-MINTP, Road Fund Line. In order to facilitate their execution, they were phased in two, the first phase which consists of two sections of road, is executed for a total amount of 800,000,000 FCFA, including tax, includes the Manki II sections (inter N6 )- Mantoum (31.64km) and Mantoum-Massangam (41.30km). This first phase is carried out with an execution level of 61.01% for a deadline consumption of 58.88%. The work of the second phase, the start of which is conditional on the completion of the first, will be covered by financing estimated at 697,184,346 FCFA including tax. The scope of the work already carried out on the first phase includes shaping, mechanical weeding, cleaning and reshaping of ditches, as well as enforcement and construction of a 1.5 were noted during the execution of the project, in particular defects noted on the cleanings, two sunken passages and the upper technical blocks of the nozzles considered insufficient. The company was ordered to make corrections. Ultimately, this project will open up the Noun agricultural production basin and facilitate the movement of people. Clément Noumsi

The young Cameroonian rapper N’GREG succeeds in the challenge of a live concert. In an explosive atmosphere, the First Live Experience event was held on March 16, 2024, at the Yaoundé arts case in the Essos district opposite the Yaoundé bilingual high school, featuring the performances of the young rapper N' GREG, in an experience which consisted of rapping live in front of a very attentive audience. The beautiful orchestration was carried out by the Meubari So Music Entertainment label which, in its mission, wanted to present another dimension of the artist N'GREG to the general public, outside of the recording studios, a bet that has been won a packed house with many spectators who came to appreciate and encourage the talent of N'GREG. N’GREG started in music at a very young age. He will believe in his skills which will lead him to a blossoming life as an artist, which he will decide to highlight. After several falls, in an equally long experience, he will set up in 2019, his very first project entitled Abog Be Tara. He will then be unearthed by the label Meubari So Music Entertainment which offered him his very first live show which was a great success and today allows him to be the author of an EP entitled Parcours, the very first of his young career presented live to the public and which will be released in the coming days, published by Alchimist Publishing and distributed on all legal download platforms. N'GREG's first live experience, saw the presence of many artists namely: EL LOABI, DANIEL WIFI, MOUSSONTHE CRACK, WIZ KARNATOR, NEPTUNE, BONASS, VICTOR EX, FLOZ X, MOZARO, NATION, and many others. Bertin BIDJA

A book which sets out a set of lessons given to young people, inviting them to become aware, to avoid sinking into discouragement and lethargy at a time when new information and communication technologies are taking more place in our daily. Its dedication is announced very soon. La colline des savoirs is a collection of hundred-page short stories, by the young Cameroonian writer Stéphane LANDO, inspired by daily realities, which has just been published by GCL. Prefaced by KENGNE Nestor Dominique, national educational inspector of the arts at the ministry of secondary education, the hill of knowledge is the very first literary work of Stéphane LANDO who spreads his ink in the academic, social, and entrepreneurial world, appearing in eleven texts in a simple and clear style, which is intended to be a guide par excellence for young people. Because, according to the author, poorly channeled youth dissipates or simply goes to ruin. The work, with a beautiful literary flavor, thus opens up a wide range of possibilities for regaining a place of choice in society without compromising oneself, highlighting the pitfalls that punctuate the daily steps of young people. La colline des savoirs, it is above all childhood memories, forged by difficulties and joys, describing the endurance which leads to success. The author does not fail to pay tribute to great minds in the world of African entrepreneurship in general and Cameroonian in particular. Success Stories which should serve as models to adopt in working life. Stéphane LANDO is passionate about art and culture. It is since his childhood that he has nourished his ambition for writing. He holds a Master II in French modern letters with a literature option, obtained in 2015. He is originally from western Cameroon but was born in the town of Nkongsamba. He is now one of the young writers who will take over and give new blood to African literature. The book The Hill of Knowledge will be signed in the coming days. Bertin BIDJA

The honorable Rosette AYAYI president and Salmana Amadou Ali vice-president re-elected to the finance committee It is in a very relaxed atmosphere that the President of the National Assembly the Honorable Cavaye Yegue Djibril chaired the plenary to establish the (9) nine commissions of the lower house of the Cameroonian parliament yesterday Tuesday March 26, 2024. According to article 22 paragraph 5 of the internal regulations of the said chamber, the various lists after posting were made public by the PAN at this plenary and adopted by the chamber. The President of the House castigated the notorious absenteeism of certain elected representatives of the people who stand out for their absences, already decried by the oldest member of the House, the honorable Laurentine Koa Mfegue Épse Mbede during the election of the office last Friday. It is no surprise that the proposed lists were adopted and on the instructions of the president of the said chamber, after the end of the constitution plenary, all the committees directly entered into conclave for the election of the various committee offices. Here is the list of the 9 commissions: the Finance and Budget Commission; the Foreign Affairs Committee; the National Defense and Security Commission; the Committee on Economic Affairs, Programming and Regional Planning; the Education, Vocational Training and Youth Commission; the Committee on Cultural, Social and Family Affairs; the Committee on Production and Exchange; the Committee on Resolutions and Petitions. The Finance and Budget Committee reappointed the Honorable Rosette AYAYI as chairman of the committee with the Honorable Salmana Amadou Ali as vice-chair, this young person full of experience and vivacity who is making a remarkable entry into his first mandate . Clément Noumsi

This is thanks to a workshop to develop reporting of statistics relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the CEMAC zone organized from March 25 to 29, 2024 by the Commission of this sub-regional institution in Brazzaville, Congo. Produce a report on the statistics of the Sustainable Development Goals in the CEMAC zone. This is the main objective of the workshop which has been held for two days at the national directorate of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. Chaired by, Ingrid Olga Ghislaine Ekouka-Babackas, the Minister of planning, statistics and regional integration of Congo, the solemn opening ceremony of this important meeting also recorded the very notable presence of Nicolas Beyeme Nguema, the CEMAC commissioner, representative, Balthazar Engonga Edjo' o, president of the said commission. For 05 days the participants, namely, among others, experts from Member States, mainly from national statistical institutes in charge of the production and compilation of SDG indicators in CEMAC countries, are also keen to: inventory of SDG indicators available in CEMAC countries; to strengthen capacities working in national statistical institutes on OOD. And to ensure that quality comparable data for monitoring SDG implementation is available and collected over time to fill national data gaps. The ultimate objective being, according to a press release from the CEMAC communications department received by our editorial staff, that at the end of this workshop, the recommendations will be implemented as part of the implementation of the statistics program under regional (Stat-Cemac 2021-2023) adopted by the heads of state of the sub-region. As a reminder, the heads of state and government of 193 United Nations member countries committed themselves in September 2015 in New York during a special United Nations general assembly to a new sustainable development agenda. They had promised a fairer, more sustainable and more peaceful world by 2030. This new agenda is supported by 17 SDGs, 169 targets and around 231 indicators to monitor progress made by 2030 in areas such as the eradication of poverty , education, the fight against inequalities, sustainable production and consumption, the climate, peaceful societies, etc. January 1, 2016, the date of implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, constitutes the world's reference point in terms of efforts made for socio-economic and environmental development. At the same time, it serves as a compass to compare the performances that will be recorded by the States between 2016 and 2030. Central Africa is not left out, hence the Brazzaville workshop, seven years after the start of the implementation of this 2030 agenda which, it should be noted, is consistent with the 2063 agenda of the African Union. Julien Efila

After the failure of the company observed on the ground through insufficient mobilization, unsatisfactory performance and a lack of perspective in terms of the conduct and completion of the project, the Minister of Public Works signed on March 22, 2024 , a decision terminating contract No. 179/M/MINTP/CIPM-TCRI/2022, awarded after call for tenders, for the execution of construction works on the Bouam-Diang-Andom section. The decision of the Minister of Public Works specifies that the company will not be able to bid for a call for tenders for a period of two years. Attached the press release Clément Noumsi

“Women and international migration: what perspectives for women’s rights? » This is the main theme of this exchange organized by CEIDES (African center for international, economic and strategic diplomatic studies) at the Djeuga palace in Yaoundé on Wednesday March 26, 2024. Exchanges which saw the participation of the ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Cameroon HE Ignacio Garcia Lumbreras, a privileged witness to this migration phenomenon. After the introductory remarks by the president of CEIDES Dr Christian POUT, four presentations allowed the audience to tour the different axes. The first "Gender and determinants of international migration" by Ms. Morelle Manuela SA'A NGOUANA, internationalist researcher associated with CEIDES, the second "Climate change, migration, immigration and women security" by Ms. Prudence NOUTCHA, associated researcher at CEIDES, the third “what legal frameworks and international mechanisms for the protection of migrant women and girls” by Maurice Rabier Charles Quentin of the IOM and finally the last “Female migration and socio-economic dynamics of countries of origin and host countries” by Dr Thérèse Azeng economist, senior associate researcher at CEIDES and teacher at the University of Bertoua. A question-and-answer phase brought this day of discussions to an end. It must be said, it is a tradition at CEIDES because already in March 2021, we organized a workshop on the theme “feminism and international relations: theories and practices”, in March 2022 the theme was “women and conflicts: are they on the side of peace", then in 2023 it was "gender equality in international relations". As mentioned by the president of CEIDES Dr Christian POUT, freedom of movement is an urgent and fundamental right . To end his opening remarks, he took up the 2018 noble prize which said: women are the future of humanity. Reactions Dr Thérèse Azeng CEIDES associate researcher, lecturer at the University of Bertoua « Communication on migration is essential for two reasons, as global data clearly proves. Almost half of migrants are women, 48% of international migrants are female. As such, gender specificity is important in the dynamics linked to migration. The second aspect is linked to the consequences of migration for women and also for the society in which they live. So the international center thought in this year 2024 that it was essential to highlight this question of migration because it is important in the international agenda and we hear it in most industrialized countries, the The debate on migration is essential in political discourse and for electoral issues. Thanks to the work of this day, we were able to list four main groups of factors which motivate the decision to migrate. These factors are economic, social, political and environmental. The search for better living and working conditions, social acceptance and the avoidance of norms in certain contexts which lead to the search for a better family environment. There are also causes linked to family reunification, political pressure or seeking better self-affirmation. And finally, today's presentation which was essential to demonstrate the role that climate change has now considered as the main cause in Africa (the heat wave or natural disasters) ». SE Ignacio Garcia Lumbreras, ambassador of the kingdom of Spain to Cameroon « I think it's a double contribution because Spain has long been a country of immigration and part of it occurred in Africa. Now my country receives migrants and the first migrant community in Spain is Moroccan, well integrated and making a decisive contribution to economic and social growth. We are a country very close to Africa and we know how to manage flows in both directions, such as immigration in the past and migrants in both directions now. You know the 2018 pact on migration, despite its non-binding nature, is an instrument which, in the years to come, will establish itself as a normative framework on migration which binds all states. And this instrument makes specific reference to the needs of women, girls and children. I think what is needed is to pool efforts because no country can face the migration problem alone because it is a global problem to which a global solution must be provided.». Clément Noumsi

supplies continue for the construction of the road layers After a long period of turbulence, the SOROUBAT company, in charge of the construction work of this 54 km long road in the West region, Noun department, is gradually moving forward with its services. This March 25, 2024, the company continues its supply of 0/31.5 for the implementation of the base layer, just as it is working to complete the construction of hydraulic structure 44, located at kilometer point 13 At the same time, it prepares the surfaces for the implementation of bituminous concrete. To date, the physical progress of the work is 33%. Clément Noumsi

Union de Douala beats Avion Acadomique, program of the next meetings. Launched by the Cameroon Football Federation on March 22, 2024 at the Ngoa-Ekellé stadium in Yaoundé, the final tournament of the first and second division championships, “Play offs”, is played in the stadiums. When the curtains rose, Aigles and Astres neutralized each other (2-2), Avion Academy fell (0-1) against Union. The final tournament of the MTN elite One and Two championships called play off 2024 which the selected Cameroonian clubs started on March 22 ends on April 21, 2024. These are the UP play-offs for the first division teams including 08 clubs selected will compete in Douala in a single leg match to determine the 2024 Cameroonian champion at the end of the competition. 08 teams qualified for the play-offs Among these teams are Canon (30 pts), Dynamo (30 pts), Colombe du Sud (26 pts), Gazelle (26 pts), Stade Renard (31 pts), Coton sports (26 pts), Yong Sports (24 pts) and Fauve Azur (23 pts,). The down play-offs initially scheduled from March 15 to April 21 began on March 22, 2024 at the Yaoundé military stadium. 11 teams are taking part in this one-way tournament and at the end of the competition the teams which have not stood out in terms of performance will be relegated to the lower division. The play-offs will also be played in the Western stadiums, namely: Bafoussam; Mbouda; and Bafang. In the end, some clubs will be kept in elite One, others will move up, some will move down to elite Two and the regional league. Launch of the playoffs at the Ngoa-Ekellé stadium Two posters were on the program for the play-offs at the Ngoa-Ekellé stadium. Astres de Douala against Aigles Royale de la Menoua and Avion Academy - Douala Sports Union. The Brazilians of Bepanda (Astres) and Aigles neutralized each other (2-2), during a match with multiple turnarounds. The two teams separated in the first round with a goalless score 0 goals everywhere. Back from the locker room Junior Trésor Benbong opens the scoring. Gabriel Tozé's protégés increased their attacks and found the way to an equalizer in the 71st minute of play, a goal scored by Ulrich Pangue Lobé (Aigles). On a penalty in the 72nd minute after a handball from the Astres defense, the kick on goal was converted by Evans Bakandja who again gave his team the advantage. Except that Marcellin Donald Kevin, bib 20 (Astres), does not give the opposing defense any respite. He scored the equalizing goal less than 5 minutes from the end of the match against the second goalkeeper Samuel Kwedi of the Eagles who lacked assurance and confidence during the match. Avion Academy vs Union de Douala Union de Douala emerged victorious against Avion Academy (0-1), during the second meeting of the first day of the play-offs down in Yaoundé. Emmanuel Ndoumbè Bosso and his foals make a great entry into the competition with this victory: “We are very well prepared physically and technically. We have nothing more to prove. We will fight to make a very good impression in these play-offs. I count on the combativeness of my children››. As a reminder, the play-offs continue on March 23, 2024 at the annex of the Yaoundé sports stadium. The two scheduled matches will pit As Fortuna against Fovu club from Baham at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m. PWD from Bamenda will try to challenge UMS from Loum. J. Patrick DJON

This Friday, March 22, 2024, was the day of the election of the office to the national assembly. The plenary session was marked by the election of the final office of the National Assembly. The work chaired by the oldest member, the Honorable Laurentine Koa Mfegue Épse Mbede, without surprise and in a reassuring calm, the president of the RDPC parliamentary group, the Honorable Roger Melingui presented the candidacy of his counterpart, designated once further proof of the party's confidence in the honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who has resolutely respected the political programs of the Head of State since he took the reins of the august chamber of the Cameroonian parliament. The result of his re-election today is 143 votes out of 156 voters and 13 invalid ballots, which clearly shows that the majority of Deputies still believe in the political prowess of its illustrious president, the Right Honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. As a reminder, the President of the National Assembly has climbed all the ranks within the Lower House of Parliament; From Deputy, he became Quaestor then Vice-President and finally President. The First Vice-President of the National Assembly was also re-elected. This is the Honorable Hilarion Etong. The only change in the Office of the National Assembly is the entry of the Honorable Julien Bara to the position of Secretary of the Office, replacing the late honorable Silikam Isabelle who died on June 23, 2023. Reactions Honorable Saya kaigama, RDPC « I am satisfied with my re-election, it is a message of support that the Head of State is sending, a confidence in Cameroonian youth, a message which we believe that better days herald. We will tackle what we have always done, addressing the concerns of our populations, these days much more the problems of water and electricity. We are going to evaluate the impact of the import-substitution policy advocated by the Head of State, there is a lot of progress at the level of minepat and minfi, we have the equation to see how to implement this strategy and to see how to involve more young people in the management of public posters ». Honorable Koupit Adamou, UDC « We say that it is without when you know how the party that has governed us for 42 years, I think that the challenge falls to the Cameroonian populations. The people must take their responsibilities by registering on the electoral lists in order to give a majority to those who can carry their aspirations for change. When we look at the physical capacity of those who govern us we can wonder if this is not the time. The renewal of the office comes as no surprise since time immemorial, we are accustomed to understanding that what is done at the start of a legislature always has the chance of being renewed until the end of the legislature ». Clément Noumsi

While the vast majority of Cameroonians, at least those who still believe in change, expected to see new people at the perches of these two chambers of parliament. This March 22, 2024 was election day for the offices of the National Assembly and the Senate. At the perches of the two houses, were respectively re-elected, the right honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, aged 84 for the lower house and, Marcel Niat Njifenji, 90 years for the upper house. The change long awaited by some observers of the Cameroonian political scene has therefore not finally arrived. Once again, once too many, the national president of the Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian People (Rdpc), also head of state, Paul Biya has decided to opt for the status quo previously. Nothing new under the sun, one could then say. Clearly, the one who holds the power by law to make and undo destinies has shown the eyes of the world that he still trusts his old friends. Don't his supporters say that he is very faithful in friendship?. This umpteenth renewal of Cavayé and Niat then appears as another snub from the central holder of power who has demonstrated through this gesture that he prefers to continue with these personalities while they show signs of physical exhaustion (nothing surprising considering their ages). However, well before these elections for the offices of the two chambers of parliament, the signals suggested that there will be a renewal at the head of these two institutions. Many names have also circulated in the press, with good profiles. Nay, we have rather witnessed a renewal of the same. This is a distressing situation which once again demonstrates why the Cameroonian parliament is the seat par excellence of the inertia distilled by its standard bearers who no longer manage to create a new dynamic. However, many Cameroonians expected a real change which may foreshadow an abandonment of inertia for a parliament which truly assumes its missions and is not just content to be a recording chamber. In the National Assembly, for example, many indicators seemed to demonstrate that the thread of trust is now cut between the Mayo-Sava deputy and the top of the state. Some observers claiming to be in the secrets of the Gods, with the force of arguments, even affirming that "this time it's the right one, barring cataclysm". The landing of the monarch of Mada according to them was only a question of time because he would no longer be in the odor of holiness with the son of Mvomeka'a. Arguments which do not lack plausibility and relevance, if we stick to the latest decision of the Head of State banning the high-level forum that Cavaye had wanted to organize on an alleged famine in the north. Added to this are the unsuccessful attempts to meet the President of the Republic face to face in recent years. The last time that the PAN, in power since 1992, would have had this privilege dates back to 2013. Also, according to certain other indiscretions, the right honorable is no longer in odor and is no longer very appreciated by certain hierarchs close to the head of state. Which are, according to the defenders of the guarantor of Mada's traditions, the origin of the coldness of relations between the two men. Ultimately, in its relations with the other elites of the far North, the PAN would no longer be the man of consensus. This is evidenced by the numerous recriminations from the elites of this part of the country regarding the forum he wanted to organize on February 14 in Maroua. Enough to record his departure from the head of this institution which has become, with regard to its management, a family property. As for the Senate, this is where the greatest curiosity was observed. Marcel Niat Njifenji was re-elected despite his now fragile state of health and his very advanced age. He cascaded back to Cameroon while he was staying in a hospital on the other side of France. He was taken out of his hospital bed to seek re-election. A fool is anyone who thinks otherwise. As proof, it was necessary to wait 17 days after the start of the parliamentary session to proceed with the elections of office members when this could have been done just after the launch of the work by the oldest members on March 5. The unavailability of the president of the upper house is undoubtedly the cause of the delay. Needless to say, the reappointment of the presidents of the two chambers of parliament brings up to date the age-old question of the renewal of the political class which has become essential over time. Unless the Cameroonians have put themselves at the disposal of Mother Nature who is the real regulator. Julien Efila

This is what emerges from the Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution Plan (PIISAH 2024) which has just been published by the Cameroonian ministry in charge of the economy. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), Cameroon spent 761.2 billion CFA francs to import 1,043,916 tonnes of frozen sea fish between 2018 and 2022. The peak having been reached in 2022 where the CEMAC's leading economy imported 241,933 tonnes of this consumer product at a cost of 202.6 billion CFA francs (+27.5%), or 4.1% of the country's overall imports, estimated this year at 4,911. 3 billion (+27%). A state of affairs which is justified by the country's inability to produce enough fish to meet local demand. The INS informs on this subject that the annual production (230,000 tonnes in 2023) of this consumer product in Cameroon has remained very low in the face of increasingly growing demand estimated at 400,000 tonnes per year. Low production which should nevertheless increase, estimates the INS to reach 324,280 tonnes in 2025. But it's not always enough. This is how Cameroon intends to reduce its level of dependence on imports by 15% by 2025, compared to 31% in 2021. This, with a view to reviving its trade balance which has remained in deficit for 5 years (545.5 billion CFA francs in the third quarter of 2023). In addition, the largest economy in CEMAC plans to achieve its production ambitions of 450,000 tonnes of local fish by 2030. However, admits PIISAH, to achieve this, the implementation of significant structural reforms as well as the implementation of concrete and specific actions are essential. Among these reforms we can note, among others: “the revision of the legislative and regulatory texts governing the practice of aquaculture and fishing in Cameroon; the construction of conservation and storage infrastructures and the acquisition of transport infrastructures for fishery products (landing stage, warehouse and refrigerated trucks, opening up and development of maritime and continental production basins, structuring and support for the installation of fishing and aquaculture stakeholders in production basins”. Pending the implementation of the said reforms contained in the document which is now akin to the compass serving as a recovery plan for the fish sector, Cameroonians continue to make do with sea bass, mackerel, sea bream, sardines, etc., sometimes frozen spoiled due to lack of being able to consume meat or even poultry beyond the reach of most budgets. Julien Efila

the company plans the construction of the piles. With the end of the installation of the company and the supply of materials and aggregates to the site, the rest of the schedule provides for the construction project of a metal structure bridge over the Taram River, the start of the construction of supports on the banks of the Mayo Taram. The project is located on the Foumban-Tibati-Ngaoundéré axis in the Mayo-Banyo department, Adamaoua region. On the work site, the construction site sign clearly indicates the presence of the company, which has almost completed the construction of its base. Now is the time to carry out geotechnical tests to determine the characteristics of the soil. The project for carrying out the work has already been submitted and comments have been made to this effect. The preparatory elements for the start of the pile construction work are perceptible through the supply of the site, in particular the deposit of trucks of 0.5 sand, 5/15 and 15/25 gravel and impressive quantities of Iron of 8 , 10, 12 and 20. To date, the project execution rate is 3.21%. The company Nan CompanyLimited has already received the start-up advance, only the control mission, AE CONSULT SA remains awaiting payment of its N°1 statement. The execution of the construction works of the bridge over the Mayo-Taram river located on the Foumban-Tibati-Ngaoundéré axis, national road No. 6 presents in its consistency, a work of 51.67 linear meters with an arrangement of accesses on the bridge of 100 ml on both sides. The cost of the construction work on the said bridge is 847,425,267 FCFA including tax. The construction of this bridge in the Banyo village in the Adamaoua region aims to improve the conditions for movement of populations and goods, contribute to the opening up of rural areas by treating or even removing potential points of rupture and the connection between the Western and Adamaoua regions. Clément Noumsi

Adoption of five-year program no. 2 (2024-2029) for the rehabilitation of the railway This is the main information to remember from the extraordinary session of COMIFER held this Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Ministry of Transport under the presidency of Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibéhè. It was a question of examining and evaluating the state of implementation of the due diligence linked to the preparation of five-year program no. 2 which includes the renewal of the Douala-Yaoundé and Belabo-Ngaoundéré lines. Following in-depth discussions, the subjects discussed were the adoption of PQ2 (five-year program no. 2) and the project management agreement. While rejoicing at the quality of the participants' contributions with a view to improving these documents before submission and approval, "I invite the stakeholders in their drafting to get down to taking into account as soon as possible the observations shared during this working session” concluded the president of COMIFER. Reactions Claude Misse Ntone, director of rail transport at MINT « I would like to say here that until now it was a program and COMIFER therefore adopted it. These are essentially the projects that we have been presenting to you for several months, it is the renewal of the Douala-Yaoundé section and between Belabo-Ngaoundéré. The work will start soon because the financing is completed with the signing on February 15 of the financing agreement with the World Bank of 232.1 million euros for the railway component between Douala-Yaoundé, and for Belabo-Ngaoundéré we had already finalized with the AFD, the European Investment Bank and the European Union for 255 million euros. We are hard at work launching calls for tenders for the recruitment of input suppliers, construction companies and project managers. There is also the continued acquisition of railway equipment, therefore 60 cars and the acquisition of locomotives according to the directions that the government will have given to improve the quality of service but also the passenger offer. This plan will have a duration of five for a total amount of approximately 400 billion FCFA ». Serge Agnero, regional managing director of AGL « We have just validated an important stage of the program, which is a structuring program for the railway in Cameroon. We want to thank the Cameroonian State for all the efforts undertaken so that everyone in this ecosystem can continue their progress. At the dawn of an important project, CAMRAIL will play its part, we finished late and we believe that this program will be implemented to help all stakeholders move forward. This project implemented on time so everyone can benefit from it». Clément Noumsi

Overview with President Eto'o will he join Cameroon? After the announcement of his departure at the head of the blues at the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Hervé Renard declared that he was making a return to men's football. Several questions hover over its future. The news fell like a bolt from the blue in the world of world football, at a time when the coaching staff is empty in Cameroon. Hervé Renard, the white wizard as he is affectionately called in Africa, has decided to leave the French women's football team after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He made this statement after the draw for the Olympic Games held on March 20, 2024, the outcome of which is not favorable to France which will meet Colombia, Canada and New Zealand: “To be clear with you I announced to the French football federation that I will not continue. This will not bother anyone, especially not the girls, used to changing coaches in their clubs,” Hervé Renard told the French press. Hervé Renard finalist of the League of Nations. After his recent defeat in the Nations League final against Spain, Hervé Renard would like to defend his record. The Blues coach firmly believes that after the failures of the French women's team in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and in the final of the Nations League, he could offer the Olympic title to the Blues before departure next August: 'You weren't completely satisfied with a World Cup quarter-final, I hope you were satisfied with a first final in a continental tournament. Unfortunately we lost. To be clear, I announced to the French Football Federation that I will no longer continue and I think that this will not bother anyone, not even the girls who are used to changing coaches in clubs,” continues Hervé Renard. The French Football Federation confirms this news. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, confirmed this desire of the Blues coach: “Hervé has a contract which ends after the Olympic Games at the end of August 2024. He made it known that he was not not at all sure about staying afterwards. He is mobilized for the Olympic Games and then he will look at his future. It is up to him to continue or to stop ››. As a reminder, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024 in France. The French women's team will take part with coach Hervé Renard who could return to Africa again, why not Cameroon without a coach since the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. J. Patrick DJON

The Catholic health department makes its renovation in Yaoundé The two-day conclave (March 21 and 22, 2024) was held in Mvolyé at the headquarters of the National Episcopal Commission of Cameroon under the leadership of its president the Metropolitan Archbishop of Douala, His Excellency Mgr Samuel Kleda. With more than 331 health facilities, including 35 hospitals and 296 centers across Cameroon, the health care offering of the Catholic Church supports the promotion of health in the country with the objective of making health care accessible. to all. “Through this mission, we want to make medicines available and at the best prices. In order to meet the needs of patients, it is a question of coming together so that the purchasing center can serve our network of Catholic health facilities. We must respect the supply system through CENAME in order to provide quality products at very affordable costs. By pooling our forces, we can succeed in this challenge, that of making medicines available at the best prices without forgetting the traditional pharmacopoeia which is doing quite well in West Africa,” underlined the prelate in his speech for the occasion. This meeting in Yaoundé will have allowed the different links in the health value chain (drugs and medical-sanitary equipment) to discuss the opportunities to be seized for effective and efficient care of our populations. Reactions Dr Eugénie Ngam épse Nomo, national coordinator of the Catholic medicine organization. « It is a question of getting back to basics because people tend to use specialties in health facilities instead of generics. We must start from generics to satisfy patients, I think that the challenges are numerous, we must change the paradigm. Health facilities must obtain supplies as a priority from our purchasing center and the trend in prescriptions in our hospitals should also move from specialties to generics first. I think with what Mgr said earlier, the ease in the procedures we will have made great progress in the availability of medicines in our hospitals ». Mgr Samuel Kleda, president of the episcopal commission for health « I believe that the problem is not only at this level of quality, it is a question of rethinking a general reorganization. It's a whole chain, from the port to the point of arrival then the Ministry of Health then in the health training and finally in the households. And from  there we see that the medicine gets to the patient easily when everyone does their job. Managers have a heavy responsibility, that of welcoming patients, having a spirit of service, to provide them with quality care with strict respect for patients because purchasing power is very low. It is important to always remember that it is there to serve humans. The distribution of products is not a problem but people must do the right thing, each at their own level. ». Clément Noumsi

While in Cameroon, operators and authorities are talking about a gradual return, in this West African country, the South African mobile telephony giant has announced a complete restoration of the internet connection this March 20, 2024. « Dear subscribers and partners, we are pleased to announce that the fluidity of our Internet service is now restored. We thank you for your patience and understanding,” it is said on the digital platform of the Beninese subsidiary of MTN (Mobile Telephone Network). At this press release widely relayed on social networks, the internet connection would now be fully restored in this West African country, after a disruption of almost two weeks. Aware of the damage that the termination of the connection has caused to companies as well as to many other subscribers, the company has announced a number of compensatory measures for the benefit of consumers. “We announce that we have taken the following measures, effective from March 20, 2024: (1), all packages expired since the incident will be returned with a validity of up to 7 days; (2) All packages active during this period of disruption will be extended; (3) For unlimited plans, we are lifting the limitation,” adds the press release according to the EcoFinance online site. Net. As a reminder, it is since the morning of March 14 that internet access has been disrupted in Cameroon as well as in several other African countries (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, etc.) due to major incidents in three submarine cables (Wacs, Sat3 and Main One). With Cameroon connected to two of these cables, experts indicate that these disruptions have already caused enormous damage to the national economy. Even if a figure has not yet been put forward, they estimate the losses at tens of billions of CFA francs for companies and other Startups whose activities depend entirely or almost on the fluidity of the internet connection. It remains to be seen whether in the land of the Indomitable Lions, measures will be taken to compensate for the shortfalls recorded so far. While waiting for a definitive return to normal, Cameroonian subscribers continue to make do with a poor quality connection. Julien Efila

the MINTP chaired a work session on March 20, 2024. The first session of the Interministerial Committee for monitoring the physical, financial and accounting execution of projects, chaired this Wednesday March 20, 2024 by the Minister of Public Works Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of this consultation platform on the execution of road projects. The work chaired by the Minister of Public Works in person and by videoconference made it possible to take a critical look at the physical, financial and accounting execution of road projects during the year 2023 and to evaluate the performances already achieved since the beginning of the year 2024. Around the table, several administrations and institutions including MINMAP, MINFI, MINEPAT, CAA, the Road Fund, which support MINTP in the implementation of road projects. In his opening remarks, the Minister of Public Works underlined the importance of the work of this Committee, at a time when several projects are being implemented across the national territory, in particular. Specifically, he noted the continuation at a good pace of construction work on the Lékié loop, as well as the Kumba-Ekondo Titi and Babadjou-Bamenda roads. He mentioned the need to accelerate the procedures for the launch of construction work on the much-awaited Ebolowa-Akom II - Kribi road, as well as the rehabilitation of the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road, not without emphasizing that the reconstruction work of the first section of the Mora-Dabanga-Kousseri road, with the ongoing installation of the company, has started. Regarding the physical performance of the projects In 2023, it appears that the MINTP has achieved more than 70% of the objectives it had set. As for the projects scheduled to start in 2023, out of 27 expected projects, only 13 projects have actually started corresponding to a length of 337.42 km of roads and 495.28 km of structures. As of March 20, 2024, the MINTP has achieved nearly a third of the objectives formulated at the start of the year and have actually been achieved. As for the projects financed by the Road Fund window, we note that the difficulties encountered during the year 2023 concern the irregularity of the monthly automatic debit, the absence of budgetary coverage of several statements from the Investment Window and non-compliance with Road Fund procedures in the preparation of contract statements and projects. In general, we note with regard to the payment of statements that although these are done in a laborious manner, it should be noted that several services were paid during the year 2023 and at start of the year 2024. The specialized services of MINFI attached to the Ministry of Public Works have in this context formulated recommendations to improve the payment chain of statements produced by companies. The specific case of markets will have constituted a salient point of the work of this first session of the Interministerial Committee for monitoring the physical, financial and accounting execution of road infrastructure projects. From the presentation presented by the Director of Contracts at MINTP, it appears that at the end of 2023, 103 contracts had been signed, including 60 financed by the BIP and 43 by the Road Fund. For this year 2024, the signing of 95 contracts is expected (54 financed by the BIP and 41 by the Road Fund). In order to avoid delays, the Minister of Public Works has instructed for a period of 10 blocked days (until March 29), the finalization of all tender files. At the end of the work, the Minister of Public Works instructed more efficiency in the exchanges between the actors, the strengthening of monitoring measures at the level of the structures and the fluidity in the processing of accounting documents. Clément Noumsi

As a prelude to the celebration next Sunday March 24 of the 31st edition of World Tuberculosis Day under the theme “Yes! we can end  tuberculosis! », the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda made a statement to the press this Wednesday, March 20 at the coordination center for public health emergency operations, on the progress linked to the fight against this disease. According to the WHO, 7.5 million cases of tuberculosis will be diagnosed in 2022, worldwide. Additionally, deaths from tuberculosis worldwide continue to rise, with nearly 3,500 people dying every day. This is the highest number since the WHO committed itself in 1995 to conducting diligent surveillance of this disease. Statistical data on the disease in Cameroon has been revealed. Thus, during the year 2023, the disease figures show 164 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021, and 154 cases per 100,000 in 2022. Mortality among tuberculosis patients increases from 30 to 26 cases between 2021 and 2022, according to the WHO report. Regarding diagnosis and treatment, they are effective thanks to the presence throughout the national territory of 72 GenExpert machines and 49 TB LAMP machines, 25,705 new cases of susceptible tuberculosis, all forms combined, have been notified with 1,445 (or 5.6%) children under 15 years of age and 181 cases of multi-resistant tuberculosis. The public health boss revealed that currently booming community activities contributed almost 10% to this notification. In addition, HIV - Tuberculosis co-infection is decreasing. It hovers around 17% with 96% of patients on antiretrovirals. Dr Malachie Manaouda points out that despite the numerous initiatives which have made it possible to very significantly reduce the impact of the disease within the population, the country still remains in a worrying situation and several challenges must be met to achieve the objective which aims to end tuberculosis by 2035. In particular the under-reporting of cases of tuberculosis of all forms; the maintenance of laboratory diagnostic tools and the establishment of a good sample system; permanent advocacy with partners and donors for a substantial mobilization of funds allocated to the fight against tuberculosis; free sputum examination through Userfee activities. “Yes, we can put an end to tuberculosis by 2035, by developing synergies of actions with all state and non-state actors, as well as with other experts, particularly those in the field of communication,” declared the boss. of public health by inviting all stakeholders involved to invest a little more Clément Noumsi