Douala As It Hardly Is!

The economic capital is tidying up in a manner as to fore-tell an important coming event.

For Christians, advent, when they wait for the coming of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is less than three weeks away; but the inhabitants of the nation's economic capital, an economic and social advent of sorts is already in the works even if only taken from the point of view of the numerous face-lifting projects expected to be brought to the public limelight in a matter of days.

Everybody coming into the nation's economic capital will notice a change, very indicative that some important visitor is expected. When President Paul Biya last visited the city in October 2011, he announced the opening of some important worksites that were expected to jumpstart the nation's steady move towards emerging economic status by 2035. He appropriately committed himself by promising to turn the whole country into a vast worksite in 2013. Douala seems to be on the launching pad of this laudable political engagement with several worksites already open.

The President of the Republic, very much wont on seeing these projects take off, has been expected in Douala ever since he made the promise in 2011. Could the heightened work being carried out on some of these sites, be an indication that he is ready to come as many Douala citizens wish? From the nature of the works going on, many believe the President's presence in their midst is imminent and are already preparing for it.

For example, an impeccable tribune has already been built on the site where the second bridge to be constructed over the River Wouri and the setting and décor leave no doubt that it is a presidential facility. Just a stone's throw away from there at the left bank of the River Wouri, massive public works are on clearing off much of the muddle and disorderly grooves in what is clearly a desire to open up space for the inauguration of the gargantuan cement factory supposed to go operational in the coming months.

Further downstream on the right bank of the same river, another site is being prepared for all what seems to be another important visit. Here, it is another cement processing plant. The two cement plants clearly tell of the government's determination that the worksite posture is real, especially as the two plants will produce one million and 500 000 tonnes of cement annually to add to current national production. Then off the eastern exit of the city towards Yaounde there is work on another site for the inauguration of a gas plant which will greatly increase the energy capacity of the nation with its attendant positive impact on the economy.

The writing is clearly on the wall, especially in the administrative districts of the economic capital, Bonanjo, Bali, Bonapriso and even Akwa. Here, the streets are receiving fresh coats of paint while gutters are being cleared of accumulated refuse. As we went to press late yesterday November 12, 2013, there were workmen all over the place placing flags on high-rise buildings while others were more discreetly writing out patriotic messages on banners which certainly will not take long before being put up in strategic corners of Douala. By all accounts, the city is waiting for an important event and is in a posture it has not been for long.