Tarring of Ndu-Nkambe Road: Works ministry hails MAG Sarl for pace, quality execution.

According to the communication unit of the Ministry of Public Works, the company is unbeatable in technical quality of work and also, matchless in project speed.

While being praised for the quality of work done so far, MAG Sarl, has been urged to step up its efforts on the ground in order to close the gap between the physical rate of progress of the work (70.33%) and the consumption of contractual deadlines (95.52%). 

As per the Ministry of Public Works, work on the stretch, which is part of the National Road No.11, is currently focused mainly on the carriageway, which is 52.04% complete.

The ministry said maintenance operations are underway in the damaged areas, in parallel with the laying of the base course, which is progressing between KP 51+400 and 51+700, as well as between KP 55+100 and 55+220. 

On the said sections, the laying of the base course is also underway. The ministry noted that despite the challenges posed by the geography of the area, MAG Sarl, which has as Chief Executive Officer, CEO, former Minister Shey Jones Yembe, has demonstrated its efficient organisation and solid commitment. 

On the field, while earthworks are complete, over 70 box culverts have been built. MAG Sarl has been overcoming obstacles and security constraints on the 31-km-long lot between Ndu and Nkambe, which is part of the Kumbo - Ndu - Nkambe - Misaje stretches of the larger Ring Road project.

While earthworks have been completed along the entire project, the roadbeds are being executed. Heavy machines have been deployed to the site with MAG Sarl teams bent on meeting the objectives of the project.

Ring Road project: Biya’s legacy

The Ndu-Nkambe stretch of the Ring Road project, till date remains one of the major projects of the Head of State, President Paul Biya. 

The lot of the road is being constructed by renowned the Societe MAG Sarl of Shey Jones Yembe, a revered elite of Donaga Mantung Division. 

As Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Societe MAG Sarl, Shey Jones Yembe, has in addition to his company’s reputation in other national construction projects, demonstrated his credibility in guiding work on this part of the Ring Road construction in style.

While many, among them international development partners, are saluting the pace of work, Shey Jones Yembe is being celebrated for coming with a new community model to road construction that has beaten standards.

Development experts say the way the Ndu-Nkambe lot of the road is being constructed, only tells of a legacy that will outlive President Paul Biya. 

Amid the fresh beauty of Ndu, Mbiye, Mbot, Binka, Binshua and Nkambe, through which the road passes with work fast advancing, the inspiring tale from what Societe MAG Sarl is doing comes in many sweet forms. 

It is a story that has changed the lives of several young people who have been gainfully employed. 20 others are today experts in operating heavy-duty equipment.

Societe MAG Sarl has also invested hundreds of millions to compensate persons and families affected by the road project. 

The road construction company has refused to stop at just constructing the modern road to boosting the supply of basic social services such as water, construction of resettlement homes, development, basic social infrastructure, sponsoring health campaigns, fronting vocational education and crusading peace.

In with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, Societe MAG Sarl has discarded the sometime back-and-forth meetings that are held in Yaounde, and as opted to pay what is due those affected by the road project. Societe MAG Sarl has paid indemnities to farmers and persons whose properties and crops have been destroyed along the Mbiyeh, Mbot, Binka, Binshua, Nkambe and Binju axis. Those who have seen their kola nuts and pear trees destroyed have also been hugely compensated. 

Meanwhile, those with temporary structures are said to have benefitted compensation from Societe MAG Sarl.

For graves affected, he has ensured the exhumation in strict respect of tradition. Additionally, the concerned families have received financial assistance to rebury their dead in dignity.

Societe MAG Sarl has also constructed hundreds of homes that have been touched along the axis of the road construction. 

Boosting community dev’t, social infrastructure

Another aspect where the difference of Societe MAG Sarl as a citizen-friendly company and the levelheadedness of its CEO, Shey Jones Yembe, is shining for all to see is the spinoffs of the project.

This far, engineers disclosed to The Guardian Post that he has made it a strict norm to ensure every broken pipe is repaired under 24 hours.

The company has also installed at least 15 stand taps to ease access to potable water for the benefit of local communities. 

In Binka village, Societe MAG Sarl has constructed a potable water system serving at least 2,000 people. 

The company has also ensured the construction of cattle drinking spots to serve the Fulani/Mbororo community involved in livestock. This is the case in Bohdih quarter in Binka.

The company has levelled a hilly land to ease the construction of the second cycle of Government Technical High School, GTHS Nkambe and Government High School, GHS Nyanji. 

Societe MAG Sarl has, in addition, excavated the foundation to host Binshua Catholic Hospital. 

The company has constructed a two-lane road of four four kilometers long from Nyanji to Binju. It has invested over 900 million FCFA into the relocation of 106 houses, which is still ongoing.

Societe MAG Sarl has constructed and expanded the water catchment in Duka, extending it to Bongfie quarter. There is also the construction of men and women multipurpose hall in Binka. The company also ensured the backfilling of Ita Mbong FC football playground in Nkambe.

Safety issues addressed

With the project nearing completion, the Nkambe Council has stepped in with a campaign to promote safer and more sustainable road use along the Ndu-Nkambe stretch, following concerns over reckless driving and environmental damage on the recently tarred stretch.

In a meeting held recently, Nkambe mayor Musa Shey Nfor, engaged representatives of MAG SARL Road Construction Company, alongside commercial drivers and motorbike riders, to address issues of excessive speeding, wrong-lane usage and related hazards.

The council has equally announced a one-month sensitisation period, during which road users will be educated on safety measures, traffic regulations and environmental protection. After the period of grace, sanctions will be enforced on defaulters.

Mayor Musa Shey Nfor during the August 1, 2025 meeting, stressed that the initiative seeks to preserve the integrity of the new road while protecting lives. 

“A safer road benefits everyone- motorists, passengers and the community at large,” he noted.

The sensitisation campaign also highlights the importance of responsible driving to reduce accidents, limit damage to the road infrastructure and curb negative impacts on the surrounding environment.

Officials say the move is part of a broader plan to improve transport safety in Nkambe and the wider Donga-Mantung Division and ensuring that the investment in the Ring Road delivers long-term benefits for residents and all road users.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3540 of Thursday August 21, 2025