Jim Wang, Project Manager, Bafoussam Stadium, China Machinery Engineering Corporation.

How far has China Machinery Engineering Corporation gone with construction works on the Bafoussam stadium?

We have already finished with the main construction works. We are already 92 per cent gone. We only have a few finishing works left to round off with the construction of the stadium. People can see the main structure, the seats, the stand, the lamps, the functional and equipment rooms as well as the football field.

We have already planted the seeds for green grass to grow in the stadium and in one and a half months from now (end of September 2015), the green turf will be in place. In one month the runway will also be ready.

Concretely, what is still left for the stadium to be set for use?

Besides the runway, there are also equipment to be installed in the stadium. The equipment are still to be transported to Cameroon. You know the equipment were purchased in China and we need some time for them to be shipped to Cameroon through Douala.

Besides the stadium, what other works are expected to be done out of the stadium and who is in charge of them?

The outer works include the fence wall, parking ground, ticketing office, training centre, tennis and basketball playgrounds. The outer works are still in government’s agenda. The outer works are not included in the contract China Machinery Engineering Corporation signed with government. Government needs to sign another contract with us so that when we finish the stadium we can continue with the outer works so that the whole package can be ready for use.

We have already made a proposal to this effect and submitted to government and we hope government can make that decision quickly because these works are urgent. If we finish the stadium early, the local people will have enough time to play in the stadium before the Africa Nations Cup which to me is the ideal.

What part is supposed to be played by government in the construction of this stadium?

Government is supposed to bring electricity and potable water. As at now, we don’t yet have any of these. Also, the equipment for the functional rooms are supposed to be purchased by government. These include among others equipment in the warm up rooms, changing rooms and medical rooms. Our contract is just to build the stadium. Any other thing is to be done by the government.

What about the access road into the stadium?

One of the advantages this stadium has is its nearness to the road. It is located in the east of Bafoussam in the West Region of Cameroon, about 16 km away from the city centre; it is adjacent to R.N. national highway in the north, and about 1 km away from a river in the east. As such, it will be very convenient for the local population to come here and watch or play matches. May be the government wants to plan a new road from here to the city.

How would you be constructing an open air stadium to host a competition like the Africa Nations Cup? Will rain and scotching sun not be problems to spectators?

The open air stadium is according to the local budget injected into the project. We presented our sketch designs to government and she decided what to take and we are building what government decided. We provided many designs to government, some with covered stadium and government chose what we are constructing now based on her budget.

In our construction we have made provision for a canopy in the VIP area. Rain doesn’t fall here all the day and once it rains, water can take about 30 minutes to dry off from the pitch. So, it is not a very big problem.

Another problem in the stadium is the absence of a media space except the eight or nine broadcasting booths. How will other reporters work during international competitions here?

As you enter the stadium, there are so many bigger rooms reserved for media people where they can prepare and send their reports. We have also reserved a place for photographers where they can have a good view of the turf and the enter stadium during football matches.

Which are some of the hitches you faced or continue to face in course of the project?

The most difficult part for use is the rain. Almost every afternoon rain falls here heavily and once this happens, it blocks construction works. But we are striving to finish the works as early as possible. The deadline is May 2016 but we could as well finish earlier than that. Also, many of our equipment delay at the Douala port. Even parts of some equipment we buy from China are stolen at the Douala port. For us to purchase the same equipment and ship again takes time and often delays works.