Experts are examining a methodology to create a developmental database in Cameroon.

During the elaboration of a strategic plan for the urban sub-sector in Cameroon, it was noticed that there are no data and information on the sector regarding aspects such as infrastructure, housing, and the economic power of towns, amongst others. Without statistics, experts in the sector could not establish a feasible strategic plan especially as they could not speculate on the total population of a town which could help in decisions such as the creation of schools and other facilities. This is why yesterday February 21 in Yaounde, experts in the urban sector began brainstorming in a workshop to validate a methodological study which will be used in the creation of a national database for the urban sector.

Opening the workshop, the Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Jean-Claude Mbwentchou said it was needless to emphasise on the importance of a database in any sector and that the lack of database in the urban sector is a problem which should be critically examined and resolved. Jean-Claude Mbwentchou urged experts to consolidate and harmonise all aspects that will help present a statistical situation of the urban sector in Cameroon in order to help fight poverty, ensure good governance as well as facilitate the realisation of quality public projects. The coordinator of the Project to Develop Urban Sector and Water Supply at the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Anne-Marie Essono said data regarding urban issues such as the economy of a town, the state of roads, the length of roads and the number of houses and their states are lacking in the country.

With the creation of a database, this will henceforth help the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing solve the setbacks involved in taking long-term decisions in the urban sector. The database will carry indicators capable of comparing the state of roads to what it ought to be, describing a town, analysing its economic power as well understanding the gap between the desired state of a town and what its present state is as well as what is needed in terms of funding.