The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has called for more expertise in the building construction sector. The objective is how to promote decent and low-cost housing in the country.

Dibong Marie Rose was speaking at the fourth National Building Material Exhibition, christened “Batimaide,” which opened at the CPDM Party House in Bonanjo, Douala, on March 15, 2015.

The problem of expertise, she said, has become pressing with the collapse of many structures across the country. After a visit to the exhibition stands, the Secretary of State sounded a positive note, “I have witnessed a remarkable improvement in the building material sector, with each participating company introducing an innovation with the aim of promoting decent, low-cost housing.”

The event, which was organised under the theme, “Promoting decent and low-cost housing,” brings together national and foreign investors in the building material sector.

They have already began discussing ways of financing affordable housing during a workshop that was held later on the opening day.

Before the exhibition ends on April 23, 2015, workshops on different themes will be organised every day. The promoter of “Batimaide,” Gaston Nemadeu, told Cameroon Tribune that the exhibition was intended to bring together stakeholders to discuss ways and means of overcoming their challenges.

Urban growth in Cameroon has risen from 48.76 per cent in 2005 to 52.86 per cent in 2010, and 55 per cent in 2015; with an estimated population increase of 17.5 million to 19.5 million, and 22 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, average growth in Douala and Yaounde, with about 43 per cent of the country’s population, ranges from 5 to 6 per cent. It is 2.4 per cent in 17 other towns with populations of between 50,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.