Administrative and Traditional Authorities Unite Behind CAMRAIL in the Fight Against Incivility and Vandalism

On 30 January 2025, the Sub-Prefect of Yaoundé 3rd District chaired a meeting at the Obobogo chieftaincy to mobilise third-degree traditional chiefs and community leaders living near the railway. The meeting aimed to address the urgent need to protect railway assets and train convoys. The administrative authority was joined by law enforcement officials and Henri Ebonki, CAMRAIL’s Fire Safety and Security Coordinator.

Discussions centred on acts of incivility and vandalism targeting railway infrastructure and convoys in the Central Region, including stone-throwing at passenger trains, infrastructure sabotage, the siphoning of tanker wagons and theft.

“In January 2025 alone, we recorded five incidents of stone-throwing on the railway network, four of which occurred in the Central Coordination zone. There was also one case of infrastructure sabotage, one theft, and three instances of tampering with emergency brake valves. These acts of incivility and vandalism cause significant material damage and pose a serious threat to human lives. This underscores the need for traditional chiefs to actively raise awareness among local communities,” emphasised Henri Ebonki, CAMRAIL’s Fire Safety and Security Coordinator.

Given the situation, the Sub-Prefect of Yaoundé 3rd District urged traditional chiefs to intensify awareness efforts within their communities and to report any suspicious activities to administrative authorities and the Special Railway Police.

“We have already identified several areas known for high levels of drug consumption, where delinquents often gather before carrying out these reprehensible acts. A sweep operation has been ordered to address this. Our objective is to put an end to these activities and ensure the long-term security of the railway,” stated Serge Biwele Sal, Sub-Prefect of Yaoundé 3rd District.

The third-degree traditional chiefs and block leaders of the district welcomed CAMRAIL’s collaborative approach and committed to supporting the railway concessionaire in its fight against incivility and vandalism.

“I am convinced that the combined efforts of administrative authorities, the Special Railway Police, CAMRAIL, traditional chiefs, and local communities will help eradicate this issue. I wish to reaffirm our commitment to this cause,” assured His Majesty Alphonse Assiga, President of the Central Region’s Coordination of Traditional Chiefs.

A subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics, CAMRAIL has been the concessionaire of Cameroon’s railway since 1999. As a key player in Cameroon’s economic and social development, CAMRAIL invests an average of 12 billion CFA francs annually. The company contributes approximately 10 billion CFA francs each year to the Cameroonian government through royalties, taxes, and duties. With 1,500 direct employees and 4,000 subcontractors, CAMRAIL implements a proactive human resources policy.