In an effort to restore smooth mobility along critical trade corridors, Cameroon’s Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, conducted an extensive field inspection along National Road No. 5 on October 1, 2026.
The high-level site visit covered the key stretch linking Douala, Bekoko, and the Nkam Bridge. The primary objective was to evaluate on-the-ground workforce mobilization and establish immediate technical solutions to address severe road degradation along this heavily traveled transport artery.
Accompanied by the Director General of China First Highway Engineering Company – CFHEC, Minister Nganou Djoumessi inspected several severely compromised sections along the Bekoko–Nkam Bridge corridor.
Following the detailed assessment, the Minister directed the Regional Delegate of Public Works for the Littoral Region and CFHEC technical teams to execute an exhaustive damage survey. This initiative aims to ensure prompt, targeted maintenance interventions that prioritize safety and trafficability for motorists and heavy haulage vehicles.
To address the immediate infrastructure challenges, officials evaluated three distinct technical options before finalizing an actionable intervention plan. The ministry selected a combination of scarifying degraded pavement zones, recycling existing roadbed materials, and thorough compaction. This temporary emergency framework is designed to quickly reinforce and stabilize road sections that were excluded from prior maintenance contracts, preventing further decay and reducing travel delays.
These remedial works serve as a interim safeguard while the government collaborates with international technical and financial partners to secure full funding. The ultimate goal remains the comprehensive reconstruction of the entire Douala–Bafoussam axis.
Through these combined short-term repairs and long-term planning, the ministry aims to establish a reliable, modern road network that supports regional commerce and economic growth.
