The noise of heavy-duty equipment moving soil and laying concrete in gutters is welcome news to residents of New Bell in Douala on the resumption of the rehabilitation of Rue Roi Njoya. The long-awaited works resumed earlier this month after a break of about three months.

Workers say work on the street was temporarily stopped because of heavy rains that characterised the months of October and November, with rain water overflowing the area. Engineers of the SETEC Ingénierie Company, who have been executing the Douala City Council-sponsored rehabilitation project since early 2015, suggested that the 24-month duration might be slightly extended as a result of the unforeseen break.

Meanwhile, many Douala residents who had thought that the street rehabilitation would become another failed project, now nod their heads in confirmation that the Council is devoted to embellishing the city. On the other hand, commuters are anxiously waiting for its completion in order to relish the development. Once rutted, rugged and with several water-filled spots, Rue Roi Njoya, whose tarring is imminent, is also a facelift for Douala II Sub-divisional Council.