Minister inaugurates FEICOM-funded Bangangte Modern Market.

The Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam, inaugurated the market on Wednesday, August 7. 

Minister Elanga Obam saluted the Special Council Support Fund, FEICOM, for realising such a major project. The member of government said the facility only demonstrates FEICOM’s solid role in enhancing the decentralisation process in the country.

The minister said the government is also proud of the exploits of FEICOM under the leadership of its Director General, DG, Philippe Camille Akoa, since he was given charge of the company.

FEICOM DG hails German support 

Taking the cue, the DG of FEICOM saluted the support of the German government through the German Development Bank, KfW, in the realisation of such projects.

Camille Akoa recalled that kfW has been at the heart of FEICOM’s major achievements since 2014. 

This, he said, is very visible in giving medium sized towns a facelift. Through the scheme, he said Germany has pumped in close to 10 billion FCFA.

Camille Akoa challenged the Bangangte Council administration to make sure that the terms of agreement reached before execution of the market are respected. 

This, he said, is given that the administration of the council has changed hands severally since the project was engaged. He underscored the need for the market to the kept permanently clean, maintained regularly and secured adequately.

Enter Bangangte mayor

The Mayor of the Bangangte Council, Eric Niat, expressed joy that the project has been completed. He recalled that at certain times when works were suspended, some people had peddled rumours that the modern market will never see the light of day.

He also told the population and officials that electricity from the Energy of Cameroon, ENEO, has been connected to the market. 

In addition, Mayor Niat talked of the reinforcement of the market’s power system with solar power. The water which supplies the market, he said, is from tapped from the Senator Niat Njifenji Foundation.

The municipal authority described the market as a futuristic facility with plans for expansion to meet present and future demands. 

He assured traders of all categories that the market will ease their engagements and boost businesses.

Traders through their representative, saluted the realisation of the project. The representative recalled how they were forcefully removed from the area to make room for the construction of the new facility.

Hundreds of supporters of the CPDM party attended the event. Officials challenged the ruling party supporters to enroll on the electoral register to massively vote for President Paul Biya next year. 

Abou the facility 

The market comprises five R+1 buildings with a total of 304 stores ranging in size from 5 to 10.8 m², a bus station area comprising one building with two ticket offices and two gender-neutral toilet blocks with checkrooms, and a parking lot. 

It also has an r+1 toilets building comprising four gendered blocks of 16 compartments, one technical room, walkways and staircases for access to the various store buildings.

This story was first Published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3194 of Friday August 09, 2024