Structural Project Gaining Valour

Launched in 2007, the "Sawa Beach" project to be launched in Douala is geared towards fostering inter-regional trade relations.

The Technical Secretariat in charge of the Sawa Beach project to be executed in Douala met over the weekend. Regrouping actors and stakeholders involved in the structural project, the sitting was chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmadou Sardaouna, who doubles as the president of the said secretariat. Conceived in 2002, the project was eventually launched in 2007 with the creation of committees with defined roles and responsibilities by Prime Ministerial order. After a series of meetings in Yaounde, the Technical Secretariat moved to Douala to host the 10th committee meeting, which justified their presence in the Conference Hall of the Douala City Council on Friday June 21. The major remark during the sitting was the delay Cameroon has registered compared to other African countries, faced with the same preoccupation. The committee therefore, proceeded with a report of the ninth session, with emphasis on the recommendations made.

The execution of the Sawa Beach project, also known as "Crique docteur Tokoto" is programmed in three main phases. The first, at which level the committee is presently, is the carrying out of socio-economic and environmental studies on the site. This stage fully determines the outcome of the project. Aimed at building a multi-functional site on a 1000-hectare surface area along the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, with the goal of fostering inter-regional integration, growth and employment, sustainable economic development to boost economic transactions between Cameroon and the rest of Africa; the consideration of other aspects like presence of port and airport activities, the preservation of the mangrove, the plight of the local population in the earmarked area, amongst others becomes imminent. However, assurances were given by Ahmadou Sardaouna about the respect of every detail, based on the Head of State's inclination towards social dialogue.

A field report by the company carrying out the socio-economic and environmental studies highlighted constraints on the field like hostility from the local population, which hinders the level of groundwork. The committee thus recommended the inclusion of local authorities at all levels, so as to sensitise the local population on their role and benefits from such a realisation. Rated at 33% of execution, the company announced the handing of the final report on 16 July, all things being equal. This will mark the first major stride in the project. Meanwhile, the feasibility and technical studies will immediately follow.