DCC retains 900 students for holiday jobs

The Douala City Council(DCC) is determined to get rid of unkempt streets. It has therefore engaged the services of 900 students to clean up the city to the satisfaction of visitors and residents.

Since Douala is the major gateway into Cameroon and given that the female African Cup of Nations is around the corner, the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Dr Fritz Ntone Ntone, challenged the 900 students to make the port city more attractive for visitors to desire to come again after the tournament.

For one month, the 900 students will identify and clear fallen electricity poles, hanging cables, and overgrown trees.

They will also carry out general cleaning, including the opening of blocked gutters and drainages, grass cutting, sweeping, cleaning and rehabilitating public facilities. Among the youth who will work in various neighbourhoods, some will be trained to produce road tiles and drive heavy-duty vehicles.

Douala City Council's Director of Administration, Human Resources and Logistics, Chindo Henry, disclosed this at the launch of "Occupation Jeunes" - the fifth this year. The last four employed at most 310 youth each month.

Since the inception of "Occupation Jeunes" in 2008, at least 2,000 youth have been given the opportunity to work every year. Some 1,022 youths earned 50,000 FCFA each during the first four editions from February to May 2016.

The money is intended to enable students supplement the purchase of school needs. The holiday job scheme was initiated to alleviate poverty and boost family incomes.