Brenda Yufeh
14 April 2008
At the centre of the capital city of Cameroon is situated an uncompleted building. The building is very distinctive. Beneath the building is a train way and at the top of it is written "I Love Biya", "Biya the Best", "Biya le seul".
Yaounde inhabitants, as well as any visitor entering the town cannot overlook the building not only because of its tallness but also the dirty nature of the structure which makes it distinct from those around it. While some people say the abandoned building contributes to make the capital city dirty, others hold ordeal stories about the building from which the structure get the name "Immeuble de la mort"-the "building of death", in the English Language.
"Immeuble de la mort" is a building surrounded by polemics. While some people say the government of Cameroon has abandoned the building since it does not have funds to complete construction work, others say the building has been sold out to foreign partners. However a Prime Ministerial decision over the weekend has put an end to the polemics surrounding "Immeuble de la mort". After the Ministry of Housing and Town Planning had called for tender for architectural studies of the building, the Prime Minister Head of Government, over the weekend signed a decision creating a committee to complete the construction work of the building. The committee is headed by the Minister of Housing and Town Planning.
Many years back, "Immeuble de la mort" was a "no go" area for any person. It was occupied by thieves. Many people have been robbed around the building. By 6:30 p.m. any inhabitant found around the building used to be at risk. Many girls have been declared missing only to be released one day by thieves harbouring the "Immeuble de la mort". Stories are told of how some girls were released out of the building pregnant. Today, however it serves as a storage house for traders selling opposite the building. One of the men guarding the building, Cyril Nguen, says after the 2001 repair works carried out at the building, those of them who worked at the site decided to guard the building not only to pre-empt bandits but also to stay closer and wait for when work will start again. During their stay, Cyril says they opted to turn the building to a warehouse. Those who pack their goods within the premises pay CFA 100 each day. At night the house is guarded by two night-watchmen and five dogs. Although Cyril Nguen and his other mates are not informed about the current decision by the government to revamp "Immeuble de la mort", they hope to be part of the crew which will help in making the building what it is supposed to be in future.
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