Cameroon’s Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, chaired the first meeting in Yaoundé aimed at rethinking the design and construction of road pavements. This initiative seeks to address the high costs associated with road construction and rehabilitation in the country. The meeting brought together various stakeholders in the road construction sector to discuss ways to optimize costs without compromising the durability of the infrastructure.
According to experts, the structure of road pavements accounts for 25% to 40% of the total cost of road construction, and can exceed 70% for certain rehabilitation works. The composition and dimensions of pavement layers are crucial in determining the overall cost of road construction. The minister emphasized the need for a tailored approach to address the specific challenges faced by Cameroon in the road infrastructure sector.
The objective of this national reflection is to produce a reference document that will guide the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Cameroon. By identifying the causes of high costs and proposing adequate solutions, the government aims to ensure the durability of road infrastructure while managing resources efficiently. This initiative is particularly relevant given the scarcity of resources and the immense needs in road infrastructure.
The minister highlighted the importance of adopting a sustainable approach to road construction and rehabilitation. He noted that the goal is to "do more with less," which should lead to a policy of designing, building, and rehabilitating roads in a sustainable manner. This approach is expected to result in cost savings and improved road infrastructure.
The reflection on road pavement redesign has already led to some concrete proposals. These include the projection of typical pavement structures that can be implemented using locally available materials and the development of national geotechnical standards. Such standards will help adapt road construction practices to the local context, potentially reducing costs and improving the quality of road infrastructure.
The outcome of this national reflection is expected to have a significant impact on Cameroon’s road infrastructure development. By optimizing the design and construction of road pavements, the government aims to allocate resources more efficiently and ensure the long-term sustainability of road infrastructure. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve the country's infrastructure and support economic development.
Key points
- The Cameroon government has initiated a national reflection to optimize road infrastructure costs, focusing on the redesign of road pavements.
- The structure of road pavements accounts for 25% to 40% of the total cost of road construction.
- The objective is to produce a reference document guiding road construction and rehabilitation in Cameroon.
