Announcement of Sixteen Million US Dollars for the Second Railway Project in Cameroon on July 1, 1974

INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR .RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 1818 H STREET, N.W .. WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 Bank Press Release No. 74/60 Subject: $16 million for the second July 1, 1974 railway project in Cameroon The World Bank has approved a loan of $16.0 million to assist in financing mainly track and telecomnumications improvements on Cameroon's Douala-Yaounde railway line, and an increase in rolling stock. The project will be carried out by Regie Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Cameroun (REGIFERCAM) during the next three years. The track and telecommtmications improyements will ensure better traffic • flow on the critical Douala-Yaounde line, and additional rolling stock will" allow REGIFERCAM to meet increasing freight demand for the next years, particu- larly with respect to timber traffic east and north of Yaounde. The project includes construction of a new bridge at Japoma; purchase of 225 freight, box and flat-cars, four main-line and three shtmting locomotives; track renewal over 42 km; installation of a radio-link system and 50 single tum-outs. The World Bank loan is being made to REGIFERCAMwith the guarantee of the United Republic of Cameroon. It will be for a t£rm of 25 years including three years of grace with annual interest at 7-1/4%. A previous Bank loan of $5.2 million in 1970 was for the improvement of existing facilities and services, mainly on the Doula-Yaounde line. - 0 - • Note: Money figures are expressed in US dollar equivalents.  July 1, 1974 • TECHNICAL DATA PROTECT: Second railway project COUNTRY: United Republic of Cameroon TOTAL COST: Estimated at $23.0 million BANK FINANCING: $16.0 million, 25 years including three years of grace at 7-1/4% interest per annum. OTHER FINANCING: Caisse Centrale de Cooperation Economique (CCCE) IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: The project will be carried out by Regie Nationa.le des Chemins de Fer du Cameroun (REGIFERC.AM), B. P. 04, Douala, Cameroun. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of construction of a new bridge at Japoma, completion of 42 km track renewal,. installation of a radio link system and 50 new tum-outs; purchase of 225 freight, box and flat-cars, four main-line and three shunting locomotives, a break-down crane and spare parts for locomotives and rolling stock. PROCUREMENT: • All Bank financed items, except spare diesel generator (to be manufactured by the locomotive supplier) will be procured through international competitive bidding. Domestic or regional preferences are not applicable as no local tender has been received for the bridge con- struction and other items are not produced locally. CONSULTANTS: Consultants will be retained to advise on railway operations, commercial and management activities and to study capacity re- straints on the Douala-Yaounde corridor. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1977 •