Francis Tim Mbom
3 April 2008
Barely two months after the General Manager, GM, of the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, Henry Njalla Quan, flagged off a multi-billion oil palm project in the Boa Plains, Ndian Division, he was, on Wednesday, March 26, at the Matouke Rubber Estate, Moungo Subdivision, to launch, yet, another giant project to span five years.
"We are here, today, to launch the development of 6000 hectares of rubber plantations. Meaning that in the next five years we shall plant rubber equivalent to what is found today in Pendamboko, Matouke and Kompina," the GM stated.
By simple arithmetical calculation, the GM went on, "we shall in the next five years double the workforce in this area. CDC shall, definitely, extend the factory and everything that goes along with it."
CDC already has some 17,131 hectares of existing rubber farms with an annual average production of some 22,722 tons of rubber. But Njalla Quan, who was addressing a population of over 1,000 of his workers, chiefs and other dignitaries from Matouke and environs, said the project was not just aimed at the planting of more rubber tress as such, but "to provide development and economic benefits to Cameroonians in general and to CDC in particular."
The project by the close of five years, the GM said would have created, at least, some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Biya's Urge, A Driving Force
Recalling President Biya's end-of-year speech, Njalla Quan said he was responding to the Head of State's urge to create opportunities for the youths; this being one of the propelling forces behind CDC's drive towards building a better corporation for the Cameroon of today and tomorrow.
Besides, in an earlier press briefing, Njalla Quan had said that the livelihoods of some thousands of Cameroonians, in the past, depended solely on CDC just as there other thousands today as well as thousands of other lives in future that hinge on CDC. For this reason, he said, it behoves on them to ensure its sustainability for today and beyond.
"CDC goes beyond just playing an economic role.
It plays the role of a developer. This means the CDC must not stagnate. That is why the management of the CDC thought it wise to put forth a five-year development plan called Plan 2012," said the GM.
Plan 2012
The CDC 2012 Plan is intended to carry out projects aimed at making life better for CDC. Included in the plan is a new oil mill to be established at Illoani in the Boa Plain Project area. Njalla said he was in Malaysia a few weeks ago to oversee the design of the mill. He said the contract would be signed in the days ahead.
The mill is expected to go operational by December, 2009. The mill would go in tandem with the planting of some 6,000 hectares of oil palms in Illoani.Still on the 2012 Plan, the CDC intends to build 2,000 new houses for its workers spread across the various estates.
This project, the GM said, is aimed at bettering the housing standards of a good lot of the corporation's labour force, for many of them are still leaving in houses built in the German colonial era, which do not meet up with today's recipes of comfort. It would be recalled that the CDC over a year ago began the provision of modern toilet facilities for its workers in the Limbe and Tiko areas. The above, among other earmarked benefits, is just a synopsis of the 2012 Plan.
CDC Financing
The CDC General Manager told the press that the CDC with proceeds generated by its 13,000 workers would finance the projects. He revealed that though CDC is state-owned it does not receive any subvention from the government. He added that CDC like any business venture in Cameroon pays is subjected to the same tax conditions as everyone else.
Prospects
Presenting the project, CDC Director of Plan and Development, Henry Becke, said feasibility studies carried out in 2006 showed that it was possible to carry out the project. Besides, he said climatic conditions as well as soil and other meteorological conditions had proven to be favourable.
On the market and economic front, he said natural rubber was the best selling alternative now, in the world market. He explained that the current world market hikes in the price of a barrel of crude oil, (raw material for synthetic rubber, a substitute to natural rubber), have concomitantly led to an increase in the cost of producing synthetic rubber.
Becke said this situation has led to an increased demand for natural rubber equally necessitating an increase in its production and supply. "Natural rubber stocks declined in 2005 by 2.5 percent coupled with the low increase in production against an increase in the rate of consumption.
This short fall is likely to persist," he said. "The economic recovery in Asia leading to a favourable demand and supply situation has driven rubber prices to an all time high in the past ten years," he added.
Small Holders Schemes
With these favourable market conditions, CDC said it was also encouraging small holders not to miss the opportunity. It promised to readily assist with the provision of free consultation services to those who will be interested, grow and sell seedlings to them at moderate prices and will also buy off their produce. Besides, the GM called on the people of Matouke and its environs to encourage their children to grab the opportunity.
Billions To Spend
The Plan and Development Director disclosed that CDC will be spending a whooping FCFA 17.4 billion within the next eleven years to have the whole project accomplished. This amount, he said, would be spread across the board to handle the rubber development, expansion of the factory, construction of new houses and the opening up of roads.
"To develop 6,000 hectares of rubber fields up to maturity will requires a colossal sum of about FCFA 10.4 billion over a period of eleven years," he said. "Road infrastructure," he went on "will require about FCFA 2 billion; factory extension about FCFA 3.2 billion..."
Asked why the project would have to take 11 years, Becke told The Post later that the project of planting will take five years, but it would take an additional six years for all the trees to mature.
Project Manager Installed
The CDC GM proceeded to install Emmanuel Bisong as the Project manager. He will be assisted by a deputy and a project accountant. Besides, CDC presented to the audience a new Mercedes truck that was acquired for the project. Meantime, the GM called on the workers to ensure full collaboration with the field management officials of the project.
DO, Chiefs Gratified
The Divisional Officer of Mbanga, Simon Nkweti Ndoh, hailed the GM for making Matouke the choice of the project site. "This is a baby that is going to make everyone smile. The people here have told me that they will be ready to give in their all for the project in order to have a brighter tomorrow," said Nkweti.
The Chief of Bona Lea District, where the project is located, Martin Mbongo, corroborated the DO with heaps of thanks on the GM describing him as a father of unemployed Cameroonians. He was particularly happy that the project was coming to create jobs in his village.
"We the chiefs of this village are happy with the honour you have given us. The entire corps of chiefs here wishes that the project goes on with all success," Chief Mbongo said.
The occasion was graced with prayers, the pouring of libation, display of choral singing and traditional dances.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 The Post. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
Hi Brothers and sisters in Cameroon, i want to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to share in your collumn, about the hard work and effort displayed by the General Manager of CDC, Mr. Henry Njalla Quan.
My name is Manfred M. Basame from Brandon Florida, U.S.A. I'm a born Cameroonian but now residing in the United States of America since eigteen years now.
I want to congratulate the GM of CDC, for his tremendouse work that he has been doing with the the cooperation and to bring a better life to people of Bota-Limbe, Tiko, Ndian, Misselele, Mokonge, Ndu, Tole, and the rest of the area occupied by the cooperation.
I want to also thank Mr. GM, for his new idea of organising a football team in Bota-limbe with also a great development of the Bota-Midlefarm Sports complex. I look foward to get intouch with Mr. Henry Njalla Qaun to work with him shortly or if he can contact me through my E-mail Mabb_mabiamanfred@yahoo.com or by phone at 1-(813)-685-6594.
I pray the GM will continue with this same spirit to create more employment as he promise, i know he is a man of his word and i love to seen people like Mr. Quan who will speak and act on at same time, i relly appereciate what the GM is doing to better the lives of the poor people in his cooperation. i was once live in Bota-Middle camp houses, attending Government School Bota- Middlefarm, from class 1-7, then went to attend the High School in Tiko, then move to Muyuka then back to Limbe, then from there Migrated to the United States with my Aunt.
So i'm asking the Mr. Njalla Quan to continue with his work he is the best GM that has ever come to put high hopes to the people of Bota, Tiko, Mokonge, Ndu, Idenua, Tole-Tea, Ndian, Lobe-Easte. In the tenure of the former GM AND former Agricuture Minister, Mr. John Nibah Ngu, no such active development was shown, also former GM and former Prime minster Mr.Peter Musonge just little development was put in place of building new houses in the Bota camp, Middlefarm camp, Tiko and Likumba.
With Mr.Quan tenure, i'm here in America my sisters and other friends telling me about the new development of the place, that when i visit home i will know that this is hom every where has developed, then i asked who is the new General Manager of CDC now? they told me Mr. Njalla Quan, then i said i will like to meet him when i came home.
So i'm very impressed with the active work the GM has been doing to better the lives of the young people there in Bota-Limbe and the rest of the areas where CDC is establish.
My Dear, The Honorable Henry Njalla Quan (GM) Cameroon Development Coperation, i say do not stop to do the good work you've started, God is there to reward you more aboundantly, i see you as a humble person eventhough i have not see or meet you, but one day to come i will see you soon, i'm planning to be home.
I appreciate the hard work the GM is doing, he has just launches two multi-Bilion development Palm and Rubber Projects in Boa, in Ndian-Division and in Matouke Rubber Estate, in Moungo Subdivision and he is planning to launch another in the year to come. This is the people i can work with who has bring development to the poor, and i pray God will strengthen the GM AS HE CONTINUE TO DO HIS JOB.
N/B: I want the GM to reach me via my e-mail anytime convenient to him, i know he is not always on his desk because of the commitment he has made between himself and the people he wants to help, i pray Mr. Quan is not a politician. I know his a child of God, because only a child of God who make promise and try to fulfiled, and that is how i see Mr. Njalla Quan. Keep the work going i will jion you in that field we need to work for the poor to revitalize them to be better in life.
God Bless you Mr. Njalla Quan, Keep the football team rolling, and also organise for the girls also Basket ball or ladies football team.
Bye for now; Yours faithfully,
Manfred Basame Assistant Director, Makwalla International Estate Inc, Makwalla Health Care Services, Tampa Florida, USA.