In his pastoral letter issued ahead of the October 2025 presidential election, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala has drawn attention to the dire state of Cameroon’s national road infrastructure.
The Archbishop cites official Ministry of Public Works statistics revealing that nearly 18% of the country’s roads are in poor condition, while none of the ten regions boast more than 25% of roads in good shape. This widespread deterioration isolates agricultural zones and hampers economic development.
He highlights the prevalence of potholes and dangerous cracks contributing to frequent fatal accidents, lamenting the failure of substantial government investments to yield tangible improvements.
Archbishop Kleda attributes the problem largely to corrupt practices linked to public procurement, where contracts are awarded to phantom or unqualified companies often connected to political interests. He notes that despite knowing the perpetrators, authorities fail to take action, perpetuating a cycle of corruption and poor workmanship.
“No country can function effectively under such conditions or abandon its population to this state,” the Archbishop asserted, calling for accountability and transparent governance to restore Cameroon’s road network.
This critique is part of Archbishop Kleda’s wider reflection on Cameroon’s social challenges in the lead-up to the 2025 presidential election, highlighting how infrastructural decay contributes to broader socio-economic difficulties.
By Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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