CAMRAIL honours 100 outstanding staff with labour medals.

The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Messina Ngalle Bibehe, chaired the event. Also in attendance was the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, and the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua 

The distinctions, awarded in the name of the Head of State, Paul Biya, came 25 years after a similar reward was given to workers of the corporation.

According CAMRAIL, General Manager, GM, Pascal Miny, the recognitions for years of service show the resilience and commitment of staff to ensure the company keeps functioning smoothly.

He said CAMRAIL serves as a source of livelihood to 31,000 people, either as employees or subcontractors. 

The GM said despite challenging times, the company transported 1.6 million tonnes of goods annually linking borders of some Central African countries.

Miny thanked the government for supporting the company, promising more investments to keep the company fruitful. 

In this light, he said 330,000 kilometer of rail line was maintained between 2021-2023 amongst other innovations. Miny also said CAMRAIL introduced ticketing systems in Yaounde, Ngaoundere, Douala as part of its modernization drive.

He said there are plans to buy new locomotives and wagons. Miney reassured government that it can rely on CAMRAIL to boost rail transport in the country.

Employees present challenges to minister

The celebration was also an opportunity for CAMRAIL staff to highlight their challenges to members of government. 

A representative of CAMRAIL workers, Paul Emmanuel Nwaha, said the jobs of most of them are in the line following the implementation of the new law No. 2023/010 of July 25, 2023, governing the railway sector.

Nwaha said besides the reform and legal void the law addresses, it has also raised a lot of uncertainties for staff.

He thanked Minister Ngale Bibehe for supporting them but urged him to preserve the employment of CAMRAIL workers when regulations are being proposed.

Minister hails CAMRAIL’s zeal to strengthen work force

Speaking at the event, Minister Ngalle Bibehe said the event marked, “a turning point for the Cameroonian railway sector, where modernization and recognition of workers are crucial to meet future challenges”. 

He hailed CAMRAIL for working with government to ensure the company is productive. He noted that the development of the railway network is crucial to the economy.

The minister said a project adopted since 2012, provided for expansion of the rail network from Douala to Limbe, Idenau, Ngaoundere, Njamena, Balam,  Kribi, Campo and other areas.

He said in the meantime the existing rail network has been refurbished. Commenting on decision 2023/010/27 of July 2023 reorganizing the railway sector, the Minister said, the decision came to ameliorate policies in place since 1983. 

On the recognition, he said in the last 25 years, CAMRAIL staff have remained connected to their job and supported development projects.

He saluted their professionalism and commended those who are about to go on retirement for staying committed to their work across the years.

A retired staff, Enyangata Tarh Samuel, appreciated his bosses for making the event a reality. He said, the medal reminded him that his years of service were not in vain.

“I had already packed up my belongings and was on my way to Kumba, when they called me to come and take my medal,” Eyongata said, adding that: “I really appreciate management”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3317 of Wednesday December 11, 2024