The Government Delegate made the disclosure after meeting with stakeholders earlier this week.

The review of ongoing major projects for the 2015 financial year in the port city of Douala by the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Dr Fritz Ntone Ntone, took place on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. It was in the presence of concerned companies, control mission staff, officials of the Littoral Delegation of Public Contracts, the Douala City Council, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

During the meeting dubbed “the resumption of work” by stakeholders after a short suspension in the heart of the rainy season, Dr Fritz told reporters that he was satisfied with the progress of work, but regretted that the rate of financial execution was slow. “Most companies have carried out more than 50 per cent of their projects. The only problem is the delay in paying for the work already done, which at times pushes the timeline further,” he explained.

The Government Delegate frowned at contractors who still carry out low quality work either because they underestimated the project cost, employed cheap labour or diverted money to other purposes. Dr Fritz Ntone Ntone enjoined treasurers to speed up fund disbursements for contractors to deliver on time. During the heavily attended meeting, the Sub-Director of Investments in the Douala City Council disclosed that the construction of some Police Posts in Douala was at 95 per cent.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of the fence round ‘Salle des Fêtes d’Akwa’ stands at 90 per cent, the Ndobo-Rail line at Douala IV at 60 per cent, the Douala I Council Building at 55 per cent and the Marché New Deido project in Douala III at 45 per cent, he disclosed.

Projects yet to kickoff include the grading of earth roads in Bonaloka and the construction of 2,000 latrines in schools and health centres, among others. The Douala City Council will spend FCFA 45 billion, while the government, through its Contingency Plan, will provide FCFA 50 billion for these development projects.