Kribi port: "Strong pressures" have tainted contract award

The Cameroonian government has stated that the consortium of Bolloré Africa Logistics, China Harbour Engineering Corporation and Cma Cgm, are contractors of the partnership contract for the operation and development of the container terminal at the port of Kribi deep water.

The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Philemon Yangon August 26, 2015.

The Mutations newspaper stressed that the trio "for an initial period of 20 years" according to the clarification of Bolloré Africa Logistics (Bal), will also support the development of the port area, including the extension of the terminal which China Harbour Engineering Corporation (Chec) had already carried out the first phase of construction. At the same time, the Cameroonian Kpmo grouping, which began in harness with the French operator Necotrans, will operate and maintain the multipurpose terminal.

According to the newspaper, many negotiations have marked the award of the management of the terminal to the port of Kribi containers. According to Mutations a folder which was approved by the Head of State Paul Biya was kept in the Prime Minister's office for about two weeks, without explanations on the reasons that delayed its publication.

The newspaper says: "procrastination had clearly gained the upper hand on presidential instructions, and with them, the eternal struggle for influence. The other details of the concession contract are to be agreed by the parties," said a Bal responsibly as to explain the caution that prevailed since the announcement of the appointment of contractors of the partnership contract for the operation, development and maintenance of this hotly coveted spot at the start by ten operators. "

The consortium has won the bet before other big hitters like the Dutch APM Terminals and the Philippine International Container Terminal Services, prequalified. The consortium of Bolloré Africa Logistics, China Harbour Engineering Corporation and Cma Cgm (BCC) had also the best offer. According to Mutations, the ad hoc committee to examine the tenders set up by Prime Minister Philemon Yang and published in late report in April , according to the final financial bids by key criteria; "BCC" (623,469. 685 euros), followed by ICTSI (467,387,399 euros) and Apmt (403,626,290 euros).

As a reminder, it was in June 2008 that a call for expressions of interest was launched by the Cameroonian government to manage the container terminal at Kribi which finally declared an "unsuccessful" Call of January 15, 2014 by the Prime Minister and while the Bolloré group had to submit a final offer. A new public notice for expressions of interest was revived after February 3, which resulted in the pre-qualification of three candidates lined up for the final that had its epilogue on 26 August.

"Kribi, which has a depth of 15 meters and direct access to the sea, will enable Cameroon to accommodate large ships carrying up to 8,000 containers to be hosted on a terminal with a quay 350 meters already built and equipped. This set of infrastructure will be completed during the second phase of construction of an additional quay of 700 meters within a maximum period of 5 years," Mutations explained.