Minister of Public Works Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi recently instructed his departments to survey risky high-rise buildings (IGH), i.e. over 28 m high buildings with at least nine storeys. "It has been reported to me that certain high-rise buildings (...) are in a state of neglect due to structural decay likely to endanger the buildings and the health and safety of the population,” wrote Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi in an August 7 letter seen by Stop Bla Bla Cam.  

The government official instructs the representatives of his ministry of regions and divisions to locate, identify, and label all the neglected high-rise buildings that could pose a risk to the public. These officials have 21 days to submit their report.

The Ministry of Public Works confirms that this operation is linked to the recent news of the collapse of certain buildings.

On July 23, a multi-storey building collapsed in Douala. At least 37 people died, according to official figures. A few days later, another four-storey building collapsed in the town of Ngaoundere, killing 4 people.

For the time being, officials from the Ministry of Public Works are not clear whether the buildings identified will be destroyed.  

L.A.