Freeway in Cameroon to drive growth

A newly opened Chinese-built freeway in southwestern Cameroon better links people and freight to a deep seaport, will boost the development of the local industrial zone, expand the country's freeway network, enhance the local economy and improve ties between China and African countries.

The road, constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company, opened on July 29. It links the Kribi Deep Seaport with Cameroon's N7 national highway.

The 38.5-kilometer road, with a designed speed of 110 km/h, has six lanes, with the two lanes in the middle reserved for future use.

The road's current daily traffic is about 600 trips, which meets expectations.

"As the port's supporting facility, the road also supports the development of industrial zones and the integration of port and city," said Xu Huajiang, deputy chief economist of CHEC, and who is also the general manager of CHEC Central African Division and the custodian of the construction and operation of the Kribi-Lolabe Highway.

Cameroon is a country with rich natural resources and the export of its mining resources is one of the country's major drivers for economic growth.

The local government has planned to build a new city next to Kribi Deep Seaport to boost the export of industrial and mining products, such as iron, aluminum and fuel oil.

"The new road will link the port with an important iron ore mine, facilitating the export of iron ore," he added.

The project not only benefits freight transportation, but also creates jobs for local people.

Cameroon Kribi-Lolabe Highway Corp, which operates the expressway, has 86 employees, of whom 78 are locals.

Xu said more local employees will be hired.

Ntsam Bifere Marthe Aimee joined the company as head of the toll station in April and is very grateful to have the opportunity.

She studied in China and can speak fluent Chinese. She helped to train local staff since joining the company and is happy about her work.

"I receive a decent salary, including allowances for meals, phone and housing, as well as social insurance. I can take the company bus to work. The work environment is also good," she said.

"I am very grateful that CHEC built the expressway for us, and allows me to find a stable job close to my home," she added.

Speaking at the road's inauguration ceremony, Cameroon's Minister of Public Works Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi said the opening marked the completion of the first phase of the Kribi-Edea Highway.

"This is a jewel of development that will boost Cameroon's industrialization process," Djoumessi said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.