At first inter-ministerial committee session: Public works minister prescribes efficiency, vigilance to execute road projects.

He was speaking while chairing the first session of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Monitoring the Physical, Financial and Accounting Execution of Projects in the ministry.

The event brought together representatives of various administrations and institutions including: the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development; the Ministry of Public Contracts, the Autonomous Sinking Fund and the Road Fund.

Minister Nganou Djoumessi said the first interministerial committee working session entailed evaluating physical and financial realisation of 2023/2024 projects. 

The MINTP boss also highlighted that it also involved the performance projections to be achieved by the projects throughout the year.

He underscored the fact that road infrastructure plays a pivotal role in achieving the objectives of the National Development Strategy, SND30.

The minister explained that although the President Paul Biya saluted the strides recorded the in 2023, which included the construction and rehabilitation of more than 700 km of roads throughout the country, as well as the construction of numerous engineering structures, the ministry was tasked with a greater challenge in 2024.

“…this is a challenge that MINTP must rise to despite the various constraints it encounters, which are a real obstacle to the completion of infrastructure works,” Minister Ngannou Djoumessi said. 

He said though they are being confronted with internal and external constraints which have affected the execution of certain projects, it was important to “redouble efforts”.

“…I also appeal to your excellent capacities for efficiency and constant vigilance in anticipating and resolving difficulties encountered by projects,” he said.

According to the Head of the Planning, Programing and Standard Division of the ministry, 50 per cent of the performance target was achieved in 2023. 

It was also revealed that 13 out of the 27 expected projects actually started with the ministry achieving almost 1/3 of the target set at the start of the year as at this March. 

However, the performance is said to have dropped compared with the previous quarter of the same period in 2023. No project has so far been delivered out of the five already expected. Also, no project of the seven expected have also begun.

Minister hints on sanctions to companies

The Minister of Public Works used the meeting to threaten sanctions on some companies that do not respect their contract.

According to the Director of Maintenance and the Protection of Road Assets, Mbem Ngombe Michel Innocent, although they have recorded certain setbacks, the ministry remains unperturbed by the situation and are keen on meeting their targets.

“We have recorded significant achievements. We do not have any worries with what is being done. During our next meeting where you will witness that we have done a lot,” Mbem Ngombe told reporters.

The MINTP official said though the performance of some companies has come under scrutiny with sanctions threatened by the minister, there are also “some ameliorations that have been recorded with the categorisation with regards to the selection process”. 

“I think that in the coming years, we will have fewer problems. But for the moment, we are going to sanction and also accompany those who distinguish themselves with the capacities to realize projects that they have been awarded,” he said. 

The next sitting of Inter-ministerial Committee for Monitoring the Physical, Financial, and Accounting Execution of Projects is scheduled to take place in 45 days.

It is worth mentioning that the committee supports the implementation of road infrastructure project. This is done through forward-looking measures that help produce results in a complex environment.

The committee was setup to achieve transparency and consistency between the flow of payment of services and the physical implementation of projects. 

The committee also highlights internal and external technical, financial or legal difficulties and propose solutions to face challenges that could hamper the execution of works.