The General Manager of the National Civil Engineering Laboratory, Philippe Nouanga made the declaration yesterday, March 1 in Yaounde while receiving five jeeps and nine pick-ups given by government to monitor the quality of all projects currently undertaken throughout the country. “The vehicles will be used exclusively to transport equipment and personnel to various construction sites,” he said, adding that the coming of the 14 vehicles worth FCFA 200 million materialises government’s new strategy to enable the institution participate effectively and efficiently in the realisation of quality infrastructure development He described such infrastructure as a major component of the national growth and employment strategy whose implementation started last year.
After going through a rough period that lasted two decades resulting in the reduction of staff and activities, LABOGENIE is taking a new breath of life following the relaunch of infrastructure development by both public and private sectors. As a scientific and technical institution, LABOGENIE will continue conducting tests on soil composition and ensuring quality of construction material before use.
A timely reawakening since the construction and public works sector had for long been held captive by contractors of doubtful competence and insufficient financial resources who produced buildings that depreciated within the first few years as well as roads that did not last through one rainy season. The gesture from the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Finance to enhance LABOGENIE’s movements thus illustrates government’s desire to ensure that the lifespan of structures meets standards established in the yesterdays when the institution was active.
