The General Manager of the Industrial Zones Development and Management Authority known by its French acronym as MAGZI, Christol George Manon has announced that the Bamenda Industrial Zone located at Mile 6 Nkwen, Bamenda is now set for use.

Christol George Manon who led a powerful delegation to inspect work on the industrial site on Thursday 13th November 2014 disclosed that the 44 hectares of land has now been completely developed for companies who wish to set up there to come and sign up.

These include the inspection of road works in the zone that were given out on contract as well as the installation of electricity that can carry the companies that will set up there.

All these he concluded, have cost MAGZI about FCFA 500 million. The next phase of work which is the tarring of roads in the industrial zone will come up very soon.

So far, it has been revealed that out of the 44 hectares of land available, some 10 hectares are already being demanded by companies that intend to set up there.

This however is subject to analysis given that the new industrial zone will prioritize companies in the food processing industries which can take advantage of the raw materials in the North West. The opening of the Bamenda-Enugu corridor, he revealed was a new opportunity for the city of Bamenda which is the pivot in this transit zone to host the industrial zone.

Understanding The Bamenda Industrial Zone On 17th April 2008, the project of the creation of an industrial zone in Nkwen-Bamenda was presented to the people of the city of Bamenda by a mission led by the Deputy General Manager of MAGZI, Mabiom Akobord Chrisptohe.

During this visit, the team presented the proposed project and visited the site situated in Nkwen.

At that time, the North West Region was one of the areas in Cameroon yet to have an industrial zone. The MAGZI mission in Bamenda assured the people that government had put everything in place to ensure that the zone goes operational.

On 11th May 2009, the General Manager of MAGZI, Christol Georges Manon launched the demarcation works for the industrial zone in the presence of the administrative authorities and traditional rulers.

This was a new step in the realization of the project of creating industrial zones in the North West Region introduced by MAGZI.

On 20th March 2012, there was the publication of Decree no 2012/0712 incorporating a piece of land measuring 43ha 95a 48 ca situated at Nkwen, Bamenda III subdivision into the private domain of MAGZI.

The beginning of basic studies to develop the Bamenda Industrial Zone however commenced on 13th February 2012.

Industrial Zones An industrial zone is a piece of land, geographically demarcated which is developed to receive industries. It is thus an area of land which is located in a space and on which some work has been done to receive industrial infrastructure. Developing an industrial zone means carrying out all necessary works on the piece of land such that it meets the standards of receiving industries.

To develop an industrial zone like in any other project there must be studies. The basic studies for an industrial zone is morphological or topographical and geotechnical. These basic studies thus give the orientations for earth movements, drainage, design of communication networks and equipping with the appropriate utilities and services.

An industrial zone is developed when these works have been carried out such that the area can receive all categories of industries and get them to operate without any problem to each other and to the environment. The handling and treatment of industrial waste is of capital importance in the development of the zone. It must be noted that, the creation of such zones also has the advantage such as the provision of roads, railways potable water, electricity, telephone, jobs amongst others as shall be the case of the Bamenda Industrial Zone.

Knowing MAGZI The Industrial Zones Management Authority (MAGZI) was created by no 71/DF/95 of March 01 1971 to acquire, develop and manage industrial zones. This through the putting at the disposal of manufacturers and other economic operators developed land for the implantation of industrial or commercial enterprises throughout the national territory. MAGZI remains the best guarantee for this implantation in Cameroon and the industrial zone amongst others is a privileged measure to encourage investors.

MAGZI is presently operating in six regions of Cameroon notably Adamawa, Center, Littoral, North, West and South West

1. Zones Already Operating on a total surface area of 1075 hectares include -Bonaberi-Douala Industrial zone(192 hectares),-Bassa –Douala Industrial zone(150 hectares),-Nsam-Mvan-Yaounde(316 hectares) -Djamboutou Garoua(90 hectares) -Banengo –Koptchou-Bafoussam(36 hectares) Ombe-Limbe(133 hectares) Ngaoundere(115 hectares).

2. Zones Under Creation on a total surface area of 552 hectares -Bamenda-Nkwen (44 hectares) -Bertoua-Mandjou,Koume-Bonis(225 hectares) -Kribi-Bikondo –Bilolo,Ebouyoe(284 hectares)

3. Zones In Project -Ebolowa -Maroua -Kribi Deep Sea Port zone(2000 hectares).