The Yaounde Urban Community (CUY) will release around XAF800 million to compensate local residents affected by the construction of trunk roads in the Yaoundé V and VII districts. Mayor Luc Messi Atangana announced the estimate at the end of the CUY community council meeting held, on September 27, to discuss the institution’s 2024 budget. 

"We had to include this compensation in our budget so that these populations could be served very quickly, and work could continue without hindrance because the populations are awaiting that compensation," he said at a time when the compensation issue is one of the challenges facing the proper execution of infrastructure projects in Cameroon. 

During the September 27 meeting, the urban community authorized the creation of a budget line, in the 2023 budget, dedicated to compensations under the Inclusive and Resilient Cities Development Project (Pdvir) in the above-mentioned communes.

The aim of the Pdvir is to significantly improve access to urban infrastructure, basic urban services, and economic opportunities in under-equipped neighborhoods in the seven cities targeted by the project, including Yaoundé. Essentially, the vision of the city's municipal executive, as outlined in the draft budget, prioritizes roadworks, the acquisition of road maintenance equipment, the removal of household waste in the city, and the development or rehabilitation of certain marketplaces. Its end goal is to beautify the city. 

For Luc Messi Atangana, the focus should also be on combating urban disorder and the growing insecurity in the city. To this end, the grand councilors adopted a draft resolution authorizing the mayor to provide "logistical or financial support" for special operations initiated by administrative authorities, the territorial units of Yaounde’s law enforcement agencies or the mayor to combat urban disorder and insecurity.

Patricia Ngo Ngouem