Construction of Douala's official ceremonial grounds on track

Douala will soon have a new ceremonial ground situated between Bonanjo and Akwa in an area known as Vallée de la Bessèkè.

The project that will cost some 450 million upon completion is being constructed on a surface area of 70 by 15 metres.

According to the Technical Manager of the construction Company (SMAR), Victor Kouam, the platform of the ceremonial ground will be raise to 15cm in each stage and will comprise a VIP section at the middle for hierarchy.

Since it will be used for all sort of ceremonies including march pass, the carriageway along the site have to be increase in order to comfortably carry a square of 144 persons.

At press time, Bulldozers were busy breaking the lifted path at the middle of the carriageway that separate the two traffic lanes in order to widen the road.

Since the site is bushy, it is being cleared and filled with ground. A culvert that existed at the site is also being rehabilitated to ease water passage.

To meet the three-month construction deadline, and ensure that SMAR plays no trick, a control mission carried out by CADEK; oversee the progress of works on a daily basis. Everything being equal, the Technical Manager said official ceremonies from March 2015 will take place at the new site.

The former ceremonial ground at “la Place de l’Udeac” not far from the Douala port, was demolished due to congestion at the port. Thus, the new site which can also be described as situated opposite the former Directorate General of Customs will be void of congestion.