Littoral Governor Re-opens Douala Central Market

Littoral Governor, Fai Yengo Francis, has officially declared the Douala central market in New Bell open for business again following its closure due to a fire incident last December.After a visit of the market on Monday, January 25, Governor Fai Yengo Francis was of the opinion that all the conditions were have been met to allow the re-functioning of the Central Market burnt down last December 15.

It is at about 11 am that morning when the Governor arrived the central market accompanied by the Wouri Senior Divisional Officer, Bernard Okalia Bilai, the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone. The delegation was received on arrival by the Douala II Mayor, Denise Fampou, and those in charge of the management of the market. Once in, he visited under the guidance of the Government Delegate the various works that were done in the market in order to ensure its reopening unfold smoothly.

The works consisted of removing all the boxes (about 3000) that in the past used to occupy the spaces of the market’s corridor. This time around, the authorities requested their removal so that there should be enough space for the traders and their customers. Also it was important to secure the electrical connections, real sources of fire catastrophes in the economic capital.  The authorities insisted that every shop owner should buy a counter before he/she is allowed to be connected to the main counter. All these prescriptions, the Governor noticed, were respected.

Reason why he ordered the official re-opening of the Douala Central Market in the presence of the Government Delegate, the Wouri SDO and several traders’ representatives. Talking to the press Governor Fai Yengo Francis said he was satisfied with “the works so far done in the market for its re-opening to be possible today. But this done, it is important to remain vigilant with other markets in town, like the Congo market. For there might also be many problems of electrical installation and security there.”

By Joseph Roland Djotie.