While awaiting the completion of external financing requested from partners such as the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) amounting to 165 billion FCFA or the French Development Agency (AFD), the State has opted to intervene using its own funds. This short-term emergency plan is included in the Road Maintenance Program, which has a total budget of 60 billion FCFA for the current fiscal year, of which more than 47 billion FCFA are specifically allocated to the Ministry of Public Works (MINTP) portfolio. A Tender File (DAO) will be published shortly, targeting companies with a solid financial base to carry out these intensive maintenance operations.

The specifications prioritize pragmatic engineering solutions. The project focuses on improving the existing platform of National Road No. 3 without altering the route. Interventions will focus on the rigorous treatment of critical zones, particularly on the Edéa-Dibamba sections and at the entrance to Yaoundé, including the resurfacing of shoulders and the installation of reinforced concrete guardrails equipped with lighting devices. The objective is to guarantee an optimal level of service while respecting a controlled budget, thus avoiding the delays associated with large-scale full reconstruction projects.

This upgrade constitutes a lever for resilience for the national economy, as traffic on this route is dense, supporting the bulk of freight to Chad and the Central African Republic. By securing the transport of goods, the government intends to reduce logistical costs and curb road accidents. The responsiveness of the selected service providers will be closely monitored, as the effectiveness of these provisional measures is crucial for the preservation of road assets pending the finalization of Phase 2 of the highway, where work has experienced slowdowns related to the compensation of local populations.

CK