Kribi Deep Seaport Project: Contractor explains delay

Edward Xu, General Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Cameroon, explains how his company is progressing with work on the Kribi Deep Seaport project.

What is still left to round off construction works at the Kribi Deep Seaport project?

Everything being all, construction will be through by September ending. We are delaying because after we began the project, government asked us to update some aspects of the project. As at now, we are already through with major infrastructure work. What is left is just finishing work on the buildings and some small details on the project.

What was changed from the initial contract you had with the government?

You know as the biggest seaport in the sub region, two terminals were not enough. So many potential operators showed their interest to come and operate the port because of its strategic location. Now, we had to start thinking of phase two of the project to build two more terminals, notably a container terminal.

But the access road is still far from completion.

Work is intensifying on the access road. I also believe that by the end of September, we will finish with work. We have also signed another contract with government for the double-carriage highway because the access road under construction does not have the required capacity for heavy trucks that will move to and from the port.

The dual-carriage way that we will build later will link the port to Edea. With regard to phase one of road project, we assisted the government to get funding from Eximbank China. I believe the contract will be launched very soon. I would love to begin it as early as soon as possible.

How many people are currently working for the port’s project?

We have more than 1,000 people on the site. Of this number, we have about 600 who are Cameroonians. I appreciate their way of working given that they have easily adapted to our style. This is the first port work in Cameroon in recent years and not many people knew how to go about the job. I believe with what they have learned from this project, they will fit better in similar projects in future.

How important are the two tug boats that have been acquired for the project?

An operating terminal absolutely needs a tug boat to push the big ship to anchor. What we had at the port before was a tug boat from Douala and we cannot afford to go to Douala each time a ship is to anchor here. I think the tug boats we have had for the general port terminal can serve for four terminals. This means that these tug boats will serve for the port that is near completion as well as for the terminals that will be constructed during the second phase of the project. Government needs to think of how to ensure the efficient management of the tug boats for sustainability.