The project which started five months ago will last two years.

The Mimboman neighbourhood in the capital city of Yaounde will soon get a new facelift. Rehabilitation work along the Mimboman-Nkoabang road in the Mfoundi and the Mefou Afamba Divisions is underway. At Mimboman on Friday February 23, movement was almost grounded to a halt as heavy duty vehicles shuffled along the road.

In spite of the huge caterpillars, lorries and engines occupying the road, people still went about their daily chores without any hitch. The stretch of road begins at the FEICOM junction, passes through “Chateau d’Eau Mimboman” and will go as far as Carrefour SOCAEPE, Nkoabang; a distance of 4,3km. The project which started five months ago, will last for two years. The work is being executed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

One of the topographers, Jean Yves Bodi, said the project is now in its second phase. The first phase had to do with cleaning and clearing of the stretch while the second phase entails digging out the bad soil. After that, he explained, the bad soil will be replaced by good soil before placing the tar. The road will be seven metres wide and space will also be provided for water electricity and telephone networks.

He said the population is receptive just like in nearby Nkolafamba. The major problem facing the project is the presence of a valley which is 50m deep. He explained that the area is marshy and they have to divert the water course and fill the area with soil before the road can pass through. Work starts at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. The company controls the movement of the public to avoid any accidents. Some of the inhabitants of Mimboman said they are anxiously waiting for the road to be completed. “This will improve the lives of the people and even ensure security in the area,” said one inhabitant.

The Head of Control Mission, Benoît Ngono said the greatest problem was the clearing the area for effective work to begin as some people had their houses demolished. But the problem has been solved by the Yaounde City Council. “The problem remaining now is to remove the existing electricity, water and telephone networks. This is going on already. This will enable us clear the area entirely and we can work without any problems,” he said. He also said he is sure they will able to meet the deadline. “We have four kilometres to cover and two years is sufficient to finish,” he added.