CI-NEWS

“The port will create thousands of jobs opportunities for the youth” Etienne Cham Bama, Internation

2020-05-18

No: 496

“The port will create thousands of jobs opportunities for the youth” Etienne Cham Bama, International Trade Law and Policy Advisor.

What is your reaction to the reorganization of the Limbe Port Authority and can you explain what grounds have been covered to get to this point?

The reorganization of Limbe Autonomous Port by the President of the Republic is a legal act that falls in the line with the government’s delicate desire to align technical services of the State with its evolving policy objectives.

From a historical standpoint, it is worth mentioning that at independence, all ports were managed under the Directorate of Ports and Waterways in the Ministry of Transports and Communication. However, in 1970 when container traffic was introduced and at a moment when Cameroon had engaged in negotiations towards an extension project of the Douala-Bonaberi Port, another port sector reform was carried out which saw the Directorate in charge of port management placed under the close administrative and financial control of the Federal Ministries of Transport and Finance. This situation was not welcomed by a number of development partners including the World Bank and as such, recommendations were made by the working group to re-assign some attributes to the Directorate of Port and Navigable Waterways.

Consequently, in 1971, Law No 71/LF/5 of 4 June 1971 created the Cameroon National Ports Authority “Office National des ports du Cameroun” as an autonomous body to manage ports in Cameroon and consequently the management of ports was transferred to a single authority other than the ministry.

Furthermore in 1998, Law No 98-21 of 24 December 1998 to organize the port sector brought new reforms by providing a limited time period of minimum 6 months (Section 16) and maximum 2 years (section 15) for new structures to be put in place.

Over the years, due to the absence of appointed officials (General Managers and Deputies, Board of Directors and Chairpersons) as stipulated by the decrees, these ports though being autonomous, were continuously managed by the Douala Autonomous Port.

The decree No 2020/249 of 5 May 2020 reorganising the Limbe Antonomous port and decree No 2020/250 of 5 May 2020 approving the statutes are the final legal instruments to pave the way for the appointment of those to head the structure.

You would recall that the construction and exploitation of the Kribi Autonomous Port followed a different pattern.

The strategy in this approach lies in the fact that, as an existing legal person, the Limbe Autonomous Port will be able to source for funding opportunities on its own or joint venture as provided for in the reorganization decree with the support of the government.

How do you envisage that the port would be?

This is a tricky question Mr. Forchie. The two current autonomous ports (Douala and Kribi) are playing complementary roles and I strongly believe Limbe will align to this as well and will have to consider unexploited markets in bordering Nigerian states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Calabar, Enugu, Benue and Taraba states. These states which are closer to Limbe with an average of 1h30min sailing time across the shores will definitely seek transshipment through the port considering the congestion and longer port dwell time charactersing Nigerian ports. Now there will be need to conduct an in-depth study of the import and export cargo of these states to be able to design and construct a port that meets their demand. At the national and sub-regional level, the port will focus on infrastructure adapted for oil bunkering among other traditional cargo like container vessels for banana and rubber export from CDC, log and semi processed timber, bulk cargo. To maximize the investment, government may consider maritime tourism and leisure, scientific research in hydrography and oceanography, nautical sport and arts to complement the already existing Limbe Institute of Nautical Arts and Fisheries.

What do you think would be the impact of this port on the economy?

The impact should be assessed on both economic and social benefits not only to the region but to the national economy and that of our biggest trading partner on the continent, Nigeria.

In terms of infrastructure development, the Port will bring about huge capital investment which will spur economic activities for SMEs in the region in the domain of hotels, restaurants, urban transport, real estate, agriculture, banking services, communication facilities, thereby creating thousands of job opportunities for the young people. This project is going to be of benefit even to the lowest income households in the region.

In the social aspect, education and health facilities will experience an increase in demand leading to new investment opportunities, better conditions for the population. The inflow of people into the city will not come without challenges but I think Limbe is ready as can be seen on the great job the city mayor has been doing in terms of road expansion, city transportation and most especially hygiene and sanitation.

I equally wish to highlight here as a delegate to the Major National Dialogue that all recommendations that were made are currently being implemented. The Limbe Autonomous Port being one of it, we can only express satisfaction and gratitude to the President for accelerating the implementation of recommendations that were made.

Interviewed culled from Cameroon Insider

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“The port will create thousands of jobs opportunities for the youth” Etienne Cham Bama, Internation