A convention was signed between the Douala Port Authority and Upper Penja Plantation on October 15.
The Douala Port Authority, PAD has signed a convention with the Upper Penja Plantation, PHP, Group take over the management, exploitation and maintenance of its Fruits Terminal. The convention is a 15 years contract, whose investments is worth FCFA 6.56 billion francs, which will improve the management of the fruit terminal for the next 15 years. Speaking during the signing of the convention, the Director General of PAD, Jean Marcel Dayas Mounoume, said the Douala Ports authority has been in competition and since 2003 certain terminals have been privatised like the container terminal. He said the privatisation of the tugboat activities areas measures to stimulate new investments and make the port more competitive to better serve the economy.
Dayas said the contract with PAD and PHP will ameliorate the competition of Cameroon Banana in the international market, optimize the management of the fruit terminal in the interest of the seaport and assure the modernisation of the terminal with the construction of a new installation of a modern Fridge. The Director General added that this contract comes to confirm the strong determination of PAD to get the Douala Seaport more competitive, and it is this reason why the port has launched a system which will boost the reception of vessels when they receive the ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management Certificate. He appreciated the prime Minister for the authorisation to realize the project and all who have contributed morally and physically to see the project through.
On his part the Director General of PHP, Armel François said this convention opens a new relation between the PHP and PAD. He added that this convention gives PHP a new responsibility and they had wanted the convention because as unique users of the terminal they have a specific right in the fruits quay as recognised by the convention, in this period of world economic banana characterised by liberalisation and exchange, it is important for them to get use to the route of their production and avoid that their field in banana does not become a centre of profit for the third party. He said they will install a refrigerator which will protect the fruits and will be exported a better condition. This procedure will be controlled by the PHP.
