"The Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD) takes the bull by the horns by systematizing this practice, and it pleases us." A worker of the port of the economic capital met with CT yesterday and referred to two releases by the Dg of PAD, published in the newspaper on June 5.

In the first, Emmanuel Etoundi Oyono announced the transfer of containers "in long stay in the Douala International Terminal Park" to Customs "for public auction." The second calls on "owners of wood" whose products have exceeded parking time in franchise timber yard to 'release port space.” They have seven days from the date of publication of the statement else the logs are also subject to public auction.

It is therefore a caution, according to several sources at the port of Douala, to prevent any risk of future congestion. "From when a commodity reaches 90 days, it should be auctioned. Importers / Exporters should keep in mind that the port is a transit, not a storage area," says Philemon Alfred Mendo, deputy general manager of the company operating at the timber yards of Cameroon (SEPBC).

Particularly concerning this space, which recorded alarming levels of overstocks a few months ago (due to port congestion), the situation is normal now. "The release of Dg of Pad concerns about 3000m3 of wood, and our current stock is 130 000 m3," says Philemon Alfred Mendo.

If there is no cause for alarm at this stage, there is no question of leaving operators "illegally". Furthermore, according to a company executive, latecomers cause other concerns: "You have an exporter who arrives and asks that the ball should be at the bottom of a pile. To get out, we will unpack 40 or 50 logs and place them next!" He lamented.