Atanga Nji bans heavy-duty trucks, buses from plying Douala-Yaounde highway

Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, has banned heavy-duty trucks and public transport buses from plying the new Douala-Yaounde highway under construction.

The ban is contained in a letter addressed to the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea.

According to the letter, a copy of which MMI obtained, the move is aimed at protecting the road from degradation prior to its inauguration.

“My attention was drawn by the Minister of Public Works to the use of the Yaoundé-Douala section of the highway, particularly the Nkolbisson-Boumnyebel section, by heavy-duty trucks, sand trucks, and logging trucks transporting logs, heavy-duty buses of travel agencies, as well as large tanker trucks,” the letter reads.

The use of this road by heavy-duty vehicles, the Minister wrote, “unfortunately results in the deterioration of the structures and the shoulders while this motorway slip road has not yet been formally inaugurated.”

Asking Governor Paul Bea to ensure the protection of this road infrastructure, Minister Atangana also demanded necessary measures to prohibit traffic on this section of the road.

He called on road users to respect the order, promising punitive measures against violators.

“Violators of this measure to protect national road heritage must, depending on the case, be arrested and the vehicles concerned impounded, with fixed fines proportional to the damage suffered,” he stated.

©Mimi Mefo Info – Douala-Yaounde highway