Port Authority of Douala: Minister commissions new multipurpose quay wood terminal.

The terminal, which will serve as a strategic component in the standardisation, modernisation and development processes of the Port Authority of Douala, PAD, was unveiled to the general public during a ceremony in Douala.

The event took place Wednesday March 29. The Transport Minister was accompanied during the inaugural ceremony by PAD and state authorities including the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development in charge of Planning, Paul Tasong Njukang; the Director General of the Port Authority, Cyrus Ngo'o; and the Board Chair of PAD, Shey Jones Yembe.

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Wouri, Benjamin Mboutou and the Douala City Mayor, Dr Roger Mbassa Ndine, were also in attendance.

Located at the heart of the Gulf of Guinea, the Douala Port plays an essential role in the economic growth of the country. The facility is a strategic gateway for international trade. 

Its strategic placement and economic potentials, led to the 2011 proclamation by President Paul Biya, committing to renovate the port and make it a reference in the Gulf of Guinea.

Following the said proclamation, the Head of State, in 2019, signed a decree reinstating the crucial role of the Port Authority.  

It had been given the power to manage the leading platform for foreign trade operations in Cameroon, while aligning the port with modern standards.

Adhering to the recommendations of government, the Port Authority of Douala, under the leadership of its Director General, Cyrus Ngo'o, has been able to initiate a litany of operations necessitating the development of the Douala port. As a result, several sectors have been cleaned up. 

During the ceremony Wednesday, the Ministerial delegation was made to see, firsthand, from the entrance through Youpwe in the Douala III subdivision, the construction works of the road leading to the port through Essengue. 

The road, contracting company, Negri, said, has been built with modern technology, modelled after that of Israel and Germany. 

The technology is said to be more resistant, less costly and adapts fully to zones of heavy transport activities such as the port. 

Aside the ongoing road works, 10 warehouses have been remodeled to modern standards. The warehouses, have tare of 5,000m² and have the capacity to absurd 14 tons of goods each.

The multipurpose wood quay

Presenting the quay, the Director of Port operation, Toko Guillaume Dikongue, said the newly inaugurated quay replaces the old one, which was built over 50 years ago.

He said the old facility had become outdated. The completion of the new quay was of top priority to the port's management. The old one of 150 linear m², was in a state of ruins, as such hindered wood sea-transport activities. It consisted of 2.5m high capping beam and a sheet pile wall stretched over a retaining wall. 

But, the newly constructed multipurpose quay has been extended to 227m² with a width of 24m and a draught of 5m. 

Approximately, 1,200 tons of steel were imported for the major project covering a total of 5,500m³. 1,500m³ of concrete was placed. 

For the reinforcement of the beam slap, 200 tons of local steel were used for reinforcement of the beams and slaps. Engineers said a total of 22,000m³ sediment was dredged. The work took 24 months to be completed. 

Financed at the tune of over 10 billion FCFA, the new quay has the capacity of accommodating all types of vessels, contrary to the former, which was only dedicated to wood exploitation. 

This was under the control of "Societe d'exploitation des Parcs a Bois du Cameroun’ since 1975. The then quay had the capacity to export 1.5million tons of wood per year. 

However, the new one, Dikongue said, will double the exportation capacity.

“The particularity is that it is longer than that which we destroyed. It can welcome many petroleum supply vessels. This is the advantage of this new quay. All vessels coming from Congo, Central African Republic, pass through this quay. As such, if it's working, it means more sources of revenue to our economy," Dikongue said.

Success despite COVID-19 

Having achieved the 24 months-long project during a period of major lockdown in Portland activities around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Director of Ports operations, as well as the Commercial Director for Africa at the contracting company, Jean Negri & Sons, Raphaël Halde Abouem, said they are satisfied with the outcome.

Over the years, Negri has executed three projects in line with the modernisation agenda of the port. 

Abouem said his company's integrity in completing jobs has earned them the trust of the Cameroonian government. 

He expressed words of gratitude to the management of the Douala port in Bonaberi and government for the trust so far. Abouem sees the quay as important pivot for economic growth in the country.