Abba Sadou, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Public Contracts, has launched a tender for the purchase of 16 vehicles to be used at various project sites being prepared for the 2016 and 2019 Africa cup of nations tournaments.

According to the minister, bids for the supply of the vehicles which should be tendered only from car dealers in Cameroon, will open on May 12, and payment will be effected with money from the 2016 public investment budget of the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education.

The brand new vehicles to be procured include 4×4 pickup trucks as well as other vehicles adaptable to transporting materials and wares used at construction sites.

However, some have labeled the move to purchase the vehicles as wasteful and unnecessary; questioning why service vehicles of the various ministries involved in the projects execution could not be used.

We recall that a presidential decree of October 3, 2014 created an inter-ministerial preparatory committee, involving up to 17 government ministries, headed by the Prime Minister, to oversee an optimal preparation for the 2016 and 2019 Africa cup of nations tournaments.

The said committee has as mission to set out a strategic plan of action for the success of the two competitions; by coming up with infrastructure projects, an in-depth calendar on how and when each of the projects will be carried out, and where financing will be sourced from.

It is in this light that government earmarked over FCFA 550 billion in the 2016 state budget for the execution of various giant projects within the framework of the continental tournaments.

So far, work has been ongoing on the new Limbe Omnisport as well as Yaounde Ahmadou Ahidjo stadiums. They have been earmarked to host the women’s AFCON in November this year. Work on the Bafoussam stadium is also nearing completion and the edifice was officially received on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a 60,000 capacity stadium is earmarked for Olembe in Yaounde with two annex playgrounds and a 50, 000-seat stadium in Douala at the Japoma neighbourhood, also with two annex playgrounds.

Rehabilitation will be done at the Garoua Roumde Adja stadium and at the Douala Reunification Stadium. Hotels, telecommunications, and road infrastructure have also been earmarked for rehabilitation and extension.