By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has significantly bolstered Cameroon’s development initiatives by donating five brand-new vehicles to the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform (MINFOPRA).
This strategic contribution aims to enhance the efficient execution and monitoring of crucial projects nationwide. The official handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 23, in Yaoundé, bringing together key officials including MINEPAT Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey, KOICA Country Director Kim Sangchul, and a representative from MINFOPRA among others.
During the ceremony, Korean Diplomat Kim Sangchul lauded the excellent bilateral relations between the two nations, emphasizing that the vehicle donation marks a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership and unwavering commitment to Cameroon’s sustainable development.
“This initiative is part of the broader framework of cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Cameroon,” he stated. Kim further stated that the vehicle donation is more than just a supply; it’s a strategic effort to ensure the effective monitoring and evaluation of projects directly impacting the lives of Cameroonians.
He highlighted that the vehicles allocated to MINEPAT will support initiatives to provide potable water in rural areas, a vital step towards improving health, sanitation, and livelihoods in underserved communities. For MINFOPRA, the vehicle will facilitate activities that raise awareness and strengthen capacity for public service transformation, ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and service-oriented administration.
“This donation underscores our mutual dedication to sustainable development and strengthens the cooperation between our two nations,” Mr. Kim asserted. “It emphasizes the importance of mobility in achieving project objectives and fostering ongoing partnerships. We believe that by supporting the effective implementation and sustainability of these projects, we are investing in a brighter, more resilient future for Cameroon.”
Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the donation, acknowledging the more than 60 years of excellent cooperation ties. “I would like to place today’s action in the wake of the shared concern to ensure better project monitoring,” Minister Ousmane Mey said. “It also aims for better monitoring of operations by the relevant teams.”
He underscored that this contribution of rolling stock is likely to facilitate field missions and ultimately guarantee better overall performance, thereby strengthening the sustainability of the structures.
Among the so many projects funded by KOICA, Minister Ousmane Mey revisited two major ongoing projects sponsored by the Republic of Korea: rural water supply and progress in the implementation of work in four campuses managed by MINFOPRA. He affirmed that these operations align with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy, which aims for the country to become emergent by 2035.
Both dignitaries highlighted that the Republic of Korea has consistently supported Cameroon through various instruments and in priority sectors such as education, renewable energy, access to potable water, e-government, agriculture, and rural development. Looking ahead, it was revealed that more than 20 Cameroonian civil servants will embark on a master’s scholarship program in Korea this year, with further capacity-building initiatives also planned.
