Aviation's contribution to Cameroonian GDP remains low

The new Transport Minister, who visited some Aviation companies, came to a realisation that the sector's contribution to Cameroon's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is still low.

In Africa, the aviation sector contributes 34.1823 trillion in GDP, according to the 2008 summit report of aviation and the environment, held in Geneva, Switzerland.

In Cameroon, the contribution of this sector for the national GDP has not been made public but experts say it remains very low. The aviation sector which includes cargo, tourism and subcontracting is expected to generate huge resources, given the significant number (27) of the companies involved.

The national airline, Camair-Co, is still fighting its way back to normal. As for other aerospace companies, under the Ministry of Transport, they still long to see the end of the tunnel. For Aéroports du Cameroun (Adc), the general direction, despite the difficulties, is to make airports reach international standards.

At least, when it comes to Yaounde and Douala because they are the two cities with high air traffic. Civil Aeronautics Authority of Cameroon plans to build an office building, to better carry out its tasks: ensuring the safety of air navigation, the safety of aircraft operations, ensure rational and efficient use of aviation infrastructure, among others.

According to the new Minister of Transport, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o, the tender specifications for this sector is not clearly known, made an inventory on October 16. Indeed, he made a first contact visit in the structures of the aerospace industry, a matter to take stock of what awaits.

As a result, he visited the CCAA and the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). In only a few minutes, he understood the technical operation of ASECNA, before visiting the control tower of the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport, where he visited the nooks and crannies.

During the various stopovers, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o declined expectations as Minister of Transport. "I go from one department where discipline is required and where error is not allowed. I am a follower of the work and the goals," he said.