Sand Extraction : lucrative but Risky

Some deep sea divers who extract sand from the Wouri estuary have lost their lives while at work.

Local building material extraction business is booming in Douala especially sand from the Wouri River as its estuary offers the best opportunity for the business. In fact, much of the sand that has been used in building the city comes from the depths of the river.
There are about three different points where sand is being dug and sold. These include Bagnia in Akwa Nord, Village and at the Wouri Bridge. Mr. Djoh Mouelle Martin, who is the chief of the sand river bed in Akwa Nord, known as Carrier Bonamoung, said it is over 40 years since the sand extraction business started in that area. He said they extract three qualities. The white sand commonly called soft sand, the brown sand commonly called sharp sand, and gravel. The risky albeit profitable extraction business is well organized. The workers consist of the chief of the Carriére, deep sea divers who scoop the sand from the river bed and loaders who have to fill the trucks when it is bought. He added that when the deep sea divers go out to the sea for the exercise they may only return after three or four hours. Sand from one canoe can fill a small truck. The divers are paid 7,000 CFA per canoe load. Meanwhile, at the extraction site along the banks of the river they sell a trip of soft sand at 10,000CFA for a small truck and 20,000 FRS for a big one. The sharp sand is worth 11,000 CFA for a small truck and 25,000CFA for a big one. Gravel is sold at 20,000CFA for a small truck and 45,000CFA for a big one. The loaders are paid 3,000CFA per big truck and 1,000 per small truck for the sand and 4,000 CFA for a big truck and 2000CFA for a small truck of gravel.
The chief of Carrière said the minimum profit per canoe is about 3,000CFA.He said that during the rainy season the business is difficult and most risky, and demand is low.
Talking about the risk it involves, he added that two months ago they lost two of their workers who went to the high sea for the business. He added that the canoe is usually heavily loaded and the can capsize. If they are not good swimmers they may die. Swimming, he said is the most important criterion for recruiting divers and the sum of 5,000CFA and 3,000CFA for loaders.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO