The Sawa Beach Project which was initiated in 2002 is slowly but surely becoming a reality.

It emerged from the fourth and final phase adoption of the feasibility report that the project is realistic.

Speaking in the presence of the Secretary General in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, who doubles as the President of the Technical Secretariat of the Project, Ahmadou Sardaouna, the Project Consultant, Mathieu Bélanger of Groupement CIMA, said the construction might kick-off in 20 months.

“The fourth feasibility study looked into environmental, socio-economic and financial aspects and arrived at the conclusion that the project is feasible.

If the State engages in direct actions like the protection of mangroves and forest reserves, and puts in place an urban renovation project for the pilot project, construction works might take-off in 20 months,” he suggested.

The Chief of Service for the Sawa Beach Project, Engineer Gerard Mandengue, said the first step after the final feasibility studies is to put a structure in place to finalise specific studies, solve land disputes and put a coordination unit in place for construction work to begin in less than two years.

Since Douala is the economic powerhouse of the country, Ahmadou Sardaouna said the city’s exceptional dynamism deserves to be showcased at the international scene; reason why a new town with an international commercial centre status will be created in Douala.

The transformation that will also comprise a cultural centre, conference hall, hotels, social houses, public gardens, modern roads, leisure corners and playgrounds among others, will be a veritable attraction for investors.

The project will as well improve the living standards of Douala city dwellers with uncountable decent jobs.

The project that will span across three villages, including Dindé, Essangue and Youpwe, will occupy a surface area of 1,000 hectares. As for the project cost, an estimate is yet to be made.

However, Gerard Mandengue mentioned that constructing a commercial centre like the one in Dakar, Senegal, will cost about FCFA 15 billion, while roads, hotels, etc, will take a colossal sum.