Edison Fru Ndi, Contractor, NW Regional Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce
The vision of a North West Dry Port is gradually becoming a reality as the Mutan Market in Nkwen nears completion.
Located in the industrial zone in Nkwen, the market is expected to serve as a key step toward the development of the Bamenda industrial zone and the future dry port.
According to Edison Fru Ndi, who is also the contractor through Dreamland Connect, the market will be completed by the end of May.
The Mutan Market under construction
Explaining the concept, he said the Mutan Market will not be a regular market, but a specialized one designed to connect importers to wholesalers.
“It is going to be more of a specialized market. It will serve as a link between products which have been imported to Bamenda and products meant for Export,” he said.
The market consists of 57 sheds, toilet facilities on both the ground and first floors, a modern pit toilet, and a solar-powered borehole. It also includes a ramp to facilitate access for persons with mobility challenges.
Once operational, about 57 distributors are expected to occupy the market.
“These distributors will also have warehouses that will be constructed later. The market will mainly serve as a showroom, while the goods will be stored in the warehouses,” Edison Fru Ndi explained.
The construction of warehouses will form the second phase of the project and will depend on the availability of resources, particularly from the North West Regional Assembly.
Using the opportunity of a guided tour, Edison Fru Ndi called on business people in the North West Region to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the industrial zone and the upcoming dry port.
“The industrial zone provides an enabling environment for entrepreneurs. There are tax incentives introduced in 2019 for those investing in disaster zones. Business people should take advantage of this while it lasts,” he said.
He emphasized the need for local entrepreneurs to focus not only on importation but also on production and exportation of goods.
Structure to be constructed
As part of efforts to promote local production, Dreamland Connect is also planning to set up a mineral water factory known as Highland Fresh around the industrial zone.
According to Edison Fru Ndi, the factory will produce mineral water sourced from the Bamenda highlands and supply it to wholesalers for distribution across the region, nation and beyond.
The planned factory is expected to produce about 10,000 litres of water per hour, amounting to 80,000 litres per day. The product will be tested and certified by the Ministry of Public Health and the Centre Pasteur in Yaoundé.
“Highland Fresh will serve as a catalyst for other entrepreneurs to think of what we can produce and export from this region,” he added.
He encouraged young entrepreneurs to be creative, take initiatives, and move away from the usual business patterns.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing at the dry port site, where land excavation is currently taking place. The area will host warehouses for storing imported goods once the project becomes fully operational.
The project is being implemented by the North West Regional Assembly with support from the Local Governance and Resilient Communities Project (PROLOG). Dreamland Connect has also employed local youths to support the construction works.
As the Mutan Market nears completion, hopes are rising that the industrial zone and dry port project will boost economic activities and create new opportunities for businesses in the North West Region.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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