Matazem–Bamenda road construction completed at 53%

By Daniel D.

The construction of the 18 km stretch linking Matazem to Welcome to Bamenda in the North West Region has been completed at 53 percent, the Ministry of Public Works (MINTP) has said.

The Ministry said work is going on “satisfactorily” on the stretch, which is the last segment of the delayed Bamenda-Babadjou road.

MINTP also announced plans for the execution of additional structures along the stretch.

Aside from the ongoing tarring of the Matazem-Bamenda road, the Ministry plans to also rehabilitate the 23-kilometer stretch linking Mile 11 in Santa Subdivision to Three Corners Awing.

The road will pass through Lake Awing, a touristic site and UNESCO heritage center.

According to MINTP, this project has reached 25 percent execution, with 20.0 km of rights-of-way cleared and prefabricated scupper elements fully produced.

“The work is 25% complete, with 20.0 km of rights-of-way cleared and the prefabricated scupper elements fully produced. The BUNS company in charge of the work remains confident regarding the delivery of the project on time,” the ministry stated.

Updating on the progress of the Babajou-Bamenda road construction, the ministry reported a completion rate of 53% as of April 25, 2024.

The road, spanning 18,050 km and providing access to the city of Bamenda, is making significant progress.

Structures along the route are nearly complete, with one box culvert under construction and the last one to be built out of the 52 planned for the project.

One area that was a nightmare for travelers, Matazem, is now accessible with a completely tarred road from Babadjou, in the West Region, to Bamenda.

“Overall, 18,050 km of subgrade, 13 km of subbase, and 6 km of bituminous graded aggregate courses have been laid, even as the prime coat. Concrete ditches have already been built over 5.1 km out of the 14.4 km planned,” the Ministry of Public Works added.

The road construction project has faced years of delay, partly due to the armed conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

Government promises about reconstructing the vital route only came to fruition this year, after President Paul Biya emphasized the completion of the road in his 2023 end-of-year speech.

In the past, Separatist fighters have targeted the construction equipment, hindering progress.

However, with ongoing efforts and renewed commitment from the government, the challenges faced by travelers in the region are expected to be alleviated once the project is completed.

©Mimi Mefo Info