AFCON 2016: Poor hosting facilities embarrass 3 ministers

Three government ministers on Thursday, January 14, 2016, stormed Limbe to inspect works on the Limbe-Ngeme stadium that is to host the Female African Cup of Nations later this year as well as inspect work on other facilities that are aimed at ensuring a hitch-free event.

The three Ministers, Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt of Sports and Physical Education, Abba Sadou of Public Contracts and Jean-Claude Mbwentchou of Urban Development and Housing were however shocked when upon arriving the project sites they noticed that work was not progressing at all.

The high powered government delegation from Yaounde wondered aloud why the contractors were not respecting the calendar that for the works and this barely two months away from an international friendly to be hosted in the stadium.

It should be noted that the Limbe Stadium constructed by a Chinese company has no parking lots, electrification, water and other essential amenities. We understand that the government of Cameroon is responsible for providing these amenities. Yet, even though contracts have been awarded for the putting in place of these amenities, there are no indications that the contractors would respect the contract deadlines.

The visiting ministers threatened severe sanctions on the companies whose names we are withholding. The visit and tough stance of the ministers came after South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai has moved to arrest some of the contractors for non-respect of their contracts terms. Presently the rate of execution of work is said to be less than 25 %.

Other structures like the Limbe Centenary Stadium, the Molyko Omnisport Stadium and the Buea Mountain Hotel which are also benefitting colossal sums of money from the African Cup of Nations package are still lagging behind.

One of the facilities, the Buea Mountain Hotel, which consumed hundreds of millions during the 50TH anniversary of reunification a few years back is still up for another huge chunk of money. Part of the hotel which was supposed to be under renovation was gutted by fire recently.

There are growing concerns that should the lackluster attitude of the Cameroonian authorities to put in place the necessary infrastructure to host this year’s continental female football rendez-vous persist, the Confederation of African Football, CAF could reconsider the decision of Cameroon hosting the event and move it to another country.

Even though the Government Ministers have insisted that funds have been made available for the completion of the works, it is not yet clear as to why the realization of the programmed activities on the stadium have been very slow.