Cameroon/The reopening of the Ngueli bridge boosts the local economy

Trade has resumed between Cameroon and Chad. Things are moving on the Ngueli bridge. Closed for more than a year because of Covid-19, this crossing structure that links the city of Kousseri to that of Ndjamena, the Chadian capital, was officially reopened on June 20, 2021.

The event was presided over by the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Deby, in the presence of the Prefect of Logone and Chari, Jean Lazare Ndongo Ndongo, who represented the Cameroonian side.

On this morning of June 26, 2021, the atmosphere is quite special at the Ngueli bridge, on the Kousseri side. Deserted by users since March 18, 2020, date of the closure of the border with Chad, this place has returned to its former effervescence. Users come and go on the bridge. While some cross to go to the Chad side, others hurry to reach the city of Kousseri . Movements are taking place under the watchful eye of Cameroonian police posted at the entrance of the bridge. On a distance of about 20 meters leading to the bridge, men, women and even children are engaged in petty trade. Others are busy packing goods for resale in Chad. Eggs, fruits, water sachets, soft drinks, pasta, whisky sachets and other products make up the contents of the boxes that head for Chad.

"When the bridge was closed, I could no longer cross and sell my bananas. Everything was blocked. But today, thank God, I have started my business again. The reopening of the bridge has freed us from the nightmare we were living in. Every morning, I go to the other side to sell bananas," says Abdel, with a smile. It is the same smile that Adoum, owner of a call box and Alhadji Adam, motorcycle taxi driver in the city of Kousseri. For the latter, the opening of the bridge has increased his daily income. "We transport people from the city to the bridge and we take those who come out of Chad, to bring them to the city or another destination in Cameroonian territory. It must be said that since the reopening of the bridge, my income has increased a little. At the end of the day, I find myself with 3,000 or 3,500 CFA francs. However, more than a month ago, I was barely getting back with 1500 FCFA", said Alhadji Adam.

FLOURISHING ACTIVITIES

In Kousseri, the reopening of the Ngueli bridge has revived economic activities that were paralyzed for more than a year due to the closure of the borders. At the central market of Kousseri for example, it is the time of happy days. Shops like that of Ahmat and Moustapha Adoum, which were closed for many months, have reopened and are receiving customers from Chad. For these two shopkeepers, good business has started again. "My customers from Ndjamena have started coming again. I have already sold a good part of the goods I had stored in the shop. These goods valued at more than 20 million were made up of shoes, handbags and clothes. The good thing is that these are non-perishable goods," said Ahmat, who was very focused on looking through his inventory register.

For Abba Kamssouloum, another trader met at the market of Kousseri, the reopening of the bridge has put an end to a long difficult period. For him, the decision of the Cameroonian and Chadian authorities to reopen the border is a real breath of fresh air. "My products, which were at the mercy of bad weather, are already finding takers. Even if the influx is not yet large, there is something to rejoice about. The situation, which lasted for more than a year, had paralyzed our activities. Today, it is hope that is reborn in us," he said.

It should be noted that the reopening of the Ngueli bridge on the Cameroonian side came three days after the reopening of the Chadian side by the Chadian authorities. This measure taken by the two friendly countries facilitates the mobility of people and trade.

Source: www.camer.be/