The Minister of Transport has expressed his delight with the progress of the new phase of Douala International Airport during a presentation ceremony, held yesterday, to mark the execution of major renovations of baggage claims and police controlled departure and arrival areas.

''I congratulate the staff of Cameroon Airports (ADC) for their professionalism. I know that next year, it will be difficult to recognize this airport once it is completely renovated. This is also the will of the president,'' says Robert Nkili. ''I am absolutely satisfied with what I see ... modernization is well and truly underway. We started with lounges and latrines. Now it is the big hall. Many offices have also been built. The passenger terminal is currently running and the airport platform is amazed the exquisite and all was done within the set time.''

The Transport Minister was accompanied on this trip to Douala International by the ADC Chief Thomas Owona Assoumou and the Governor of the Littoral Region, Joseph Beti Assomo.

Since the establishment of the Douala International Airport in 1977, the maintenance of the passenger terminal had not been encouraging leading to the deplorable state the infrastructure and equipment were in. The bad state of the place was noticed by government who had to sign contracts for the upgrading of the latter in September 2008.

Since then, ADC are endeavouring to give a new face to what can be considered one of the main gateways of Cameroon. Today, almost completed, renovations included the extensions of customer services and police offices behind the baggage delivery area, granite flooring, wall painting; air conditioning, electricity (high and low voltage), computer network and plumbing to extend the toilets. The work, which is estimated to cost 2.1 billion CFA francs, is scheduled for completion in September.

In 2016, ADC plan to strengthen the runway by engaging the renovation of the passenger terminal and reconfigure the access to the airport, as well as automation of basement parking.

Soon the Douala International Airport will mirror an image of the largest airports in the world.