Tche Irene Morikang
13 May 2008
interview
Dr Uphie Chinje Melo, Director of MIPROMALO, explains how the use of local building materials can be popularised in Cameroon.
You are the Director of the Local Materials Promotion Authority. Do you think Cameroonians have embraced the use of Local Materials in building construction?
A vast majority of Cameroonians use local materials and in most localities we are working on improving the quality of these building materials or recommend alternatives. These materials: adobe, pisé, calabot are based on local resources - mainly earth and wood. In addition, the oldest monuments and buildings in Cameroon were constructed with stones and fired bricks and tiles (made out of clay). But unfortunately, cement, a more recent material has come to be used as the conventional building material in Cameroon. Cement used in Cameroon is essentially imported. Cement blocks and concrete were the only materials prescribed in construction projects and taught in technical and engineering schools. When local materials are used, the construction is termed temporary. As a result, medium class Cameroonians turned to high cost conventional materials and abandoned the use of local materials. Consequently, the answer to your question is no.
What do you think is the reason for this unfortunate turn of events or feet dragging in the use of local building materials?
Until very recently, all State projects - apart from a few local materials prototypes - prescribed only the use of cement based materials. Even stones that were used, for example, in the construction of the University of Yaounde, have been relegated. On the other hand, Cameroonians who are hesitant to use these materials imagine improved local materials are expensive, technicians are not available, the materials are not readily available and some doubt the quality of these materials. We are aware of these apprehensions and have been addressing these issues. Some local materials like compressed earth blocks (CEB) and clay fired blocks produced very close to raw materials sites are much cheaper than cement blocks. CEB have Cameroonian standards. I regret to mention here that cement blocks produced in Cameroon are generally sub-standard and there are no norms on this material in Cameroon. Is it intentional? Masons and carpenters simply require to be recycled to adapt to using bricks and tiles.
In a bid to oblige Cameroonians to use local building materials, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Ephraim Inoni, last year signed an order to this effect. Do you think the order is being respected?
Yes, to a certain extent. So far the preparatory work requested by the PM and Head of Government on technical specification for tender documents to be elaborated by MINTP has been done in collaboration with MIPROMALO. These specifications are only for CEB since it is the only building material with Cameroonian standards approved by MINIMIDT. Concerning the PM's order on constructing up to one floor public buildings by contracting authorities or vote holders, to the best of my knowledge, has had a negligible reaction in 2008. I am convinced that's why the PM last April 2008 in another circular insisted on the implementation of the initial circular of 12th march 2007 calling on the use of local materials in state projects. In that circular, he clearly highlighted the importance of using these materials, especially in improving our trade balance. Operators in the sector as well as trained technicians have been identified and we are collaborating with other stakeholders to improve this data base.
Why do you think contractors have been slow in respecting this Prime Ministerial decision?
The technical specifications did not get to their respective destinations early enough, that is, before the preparations of tender documents. We are still receiving requests for these documents by contracting authorities. In addition, the implementation of the order should be a collective endeavour by all who are interested in a healthy economy and creation of jobs for the unemployed. We understand it is very difficult to change not only habits, but to learn new trades. Formal technical education need to adapt training programmes to integrate construction with local materials. At the level of MIPROMALO, we are ready to accompany contractors and business projects requiring the production and use of local materials. We are ready to train anywhere in the country.
What has MIPROMALO done to popularise the use of local materials?
The Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, our supervisory authority, and the Board of Administration recently approved the creation of provincial centres and the first two will be launched very soon. This will take the technologies of brick and tile production, closer to the population. We operate pilot units for materials production which act as training centres. In the course of this year, 20 technology centres (for the civil society) will be created thanks to MIPROMALO's HIPC initiative project of which the funds are already available. So far MIPROMALO has trained thousands of Cameroonians in the production and use of local materials. We have embarked on a project to assist municipalities and some individuals, who express an interest, in creating production units. We have mobile equipment available for building projects anywhere in the country. We have identified sources of equipment for the sector and collaborate with both local and international partners.
At a time when conventional building materials, such as cement, are becoming more and more expensive and scarce, what advice can you give the population?
I advise Cameroonians to turn to the use of local materials; their use will greatly reduce the pressure on cement which is essentially imported. They are more resistant, they preserve our culture, aesthetically they appeal more and above all they create jobs for our youths. For those who have visited other countries in Africa - Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Tunisia, etc or beyond - the United Kingdom, Germany etc, almost all residences, and one to two floor buildings, employ local materials.
I seize this opportunity to call attention to investment opportunities in the local materials sector. The PM and Head of Government's circular imposing the use of local materials opens up a very sure market. MIPROMALO and its partners are ready to accompany these businesses and there is need for some incentives by the State.
Concretely, how cheap is it building with local materials?
To be specific, for medium level buildings, a contractor will make a saving of 10 to 15 percent and for low cost buildings, 30 to 40 percent. We have used these materials in the construction of schools and several residences to arrive at these conclusions.
What is your plan of action to ensure the implementation of the PM's circular?
The circular, a government policy, is addressed to all state contracting authorities and it should be a collective endeavour. We need the media to sensitize the population on the advantages of using these materials. MIPROMALO, the state institution responsible for assisting its policy in the sector, has been working on identifying primary resources, training and accompanying private sector and individuals to reduce construction cost, plans to reinforce its capacity nationwide.
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