It was in a solemn atmosphere that the asphalting of the Olounou-Oveng road reached a key milestone on Friday, November 22, 2024. The official ceremony, held on the project site, marked the launch of the work in the presence of a host of personalities, including the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, project owner, accompanied by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister for the Environment.the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Local Development and a representative of the Italian Ambassador to Cameroon.

The worksite, entrusted to the SEAS-COSEDIL consortium, had already been in full swing for a month, with the mobilization of teams and machinery. On the ground, preparatory work is in full swing, including right-of-way clearance, topographical surveys, geotechnical and hydraulic studies, identification of quarries, and interventions at critical points. These efforts are designed to ensure rapid progress in line with specifications.

A modern, safe road

The project involves the construction of a 70 km road with a 1×2 lane profile, incorporating essential infrastructure such as 13 bridges with a total length of 260 meters, 59 drainage structures, road junctions and horizontal and vertical signalling systems. The specifications also include road safety equipment and various related facilities for local residents.

The pavement structure has been designed to withstand intense border traffic. It will comprise a lateritic gravel sub-base (25 cm), a crushed gravel base (20 cm) and a semi-grained asphalt concrete wearing course.

A major investment

With a planned completion period of 36 months, the overall cost of the project is FCFA 62.2 billion excluding taxes. This amount includes FCFA 48.5 billion for the road construction, FCFA 4.5 billion for the bridges, and nearly FCFA 9.2 billion for additional facilities such as a weighing station, an automatic toll booth, a counting station and the implementation of an environmental and social management plan.

Objectives and challenges

In his opening speech, the Minister of Public Works insisted on meeting deadlines and quality standards. "Let's maintain the pace observed over the past month to ensure the success of this strategic project", he declared.

In addition to improving cross-border trade, this road aims to open up surrounding localities, boost economic activity and enhance user safety. A rigorous technical control mission is already in place to ensure that the work proceeds smoothly.

Source: www.newsducamer.com