From November 18 to 22, 2024, the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) paid compensation to 38 expropriated families in the village of Koundja in the Koutaba district, as part of the programme to secure and extend the airport's assets, in the presence of the First Prefectural Deputy of the Noun department. 

This initiative is part of a vast programme to secure Cameroon's aeronautical assets, launched by the CCAA's Director General in 2018, to guarantee the safety of airport facilities and equipment, while freeing up rights-of-way illegally occupied by residents. 

During the opening and closing speeches, the First Deputy Prefect of Noun, after thanking those involved in implementing this compensation process, in particular the Managing Director of the CCAA, for honouring the commitments made, reiterated the importance of this operation for the future of this airport and the State's commitment to ensuring that the various stages of this operation run smoothly. 

Per Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2024/0260/PM of 04 July 2024 on compensation for victims of property destruction and loss of land rights, a total of 35,173,500 CFA francs has been allocated to secure and extend the Koutaba airport domain. Payment was made in cheques for amounts over 500,000 CFA francs, and in cash for smaller amounts. As a result, 36 of the 38 people expected to receive their payment. 

The First Deputy Prefect encouraged those concerned to submit their claims to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission that had been set up. 

With the payment of these indemnities, the CCAA, in collaboration with the administrative and municipal authorities of the town of Koutaba, can now start the process of physically freeing up the airport domain. 

Trans: MKG/ ARO-PRU