Createdin 2004, George and Jerry Construction Company Limited based in Buea in the South West Region of Cameroonhas grown up to be one of the most prominent SMEs in Cameroon .

The objectives set by TabotGeorge Eko in 2004 when he created Georgeand Jerry Construction Company (G&JCo. Ltd) to be the leader in its domain of activity, to thebenefit of customers has been achieved. (G&J Co.Ltd) has as purpose toprovide services to the private sector, assist the government in developmental projects and to gaingovernment trust in the execution of public contracts. The most added value toCameroon economy being to createemployment and reduce the rate of unemployment

The promoter was motivated by theincreasing demands for projects in civil engineering as well as constructionsectors and suddenly had developed a passion for it. This was coupled with thescarcity of construction companies especially within the south west region. TabotGeorge Eko therefore conceived a project of creating a construction companythat became evident in 2004, with Georgeand Jerry Construction Company.

Successfulprogress

The companywas initially called Tabot Enterprises under the sole proprietorship of TabotGeorge Eko. While still functioning as a sub-contractor of Razel Cameroun and SogeaSatom, the enterprise was then transformed in to a Private Limited Companyunder the Ohada uniform Act in 2004 with three (03) shareholders. Not only wasthe company functioning as a sub-contractor, it was also working with theministry of Public Works at the time and local city councils in the executionof projects financed by the public investment Budget (PIB). Under PIB, G&J Co. Ltdhas constructed schools, Hospitals, Markets, Culverts, Roads, Municipal Conferencehalls etc.

Today, George and Jerry is able to get intosome international partnership agreement (B2B) facilitated by theSubcontracting and Partnership Exchange (SPX) of Cameroon. G&JCo.Ltd is active in Civil Engineering, Construction, Supply of opticFibres and Materials, Extension of Camtel and Camwater networks. The companyhas completed contracts with companies like; Sogea-Satom, Razel Cameroun, RoutD’af,Spiecapag Succursale Cameroun, Denys Construction, Wartsila Central Africa, China Habour Engineering Company LTD, MDR SpaceLTD, Camtel,Soweda, PNDP and the Government.

Lack of credit and procurement of materials

George and Jerry Construction Company Limited has asmajor treads difficulties in the procurement of materials. “The problem of material has assumed theshape of an absolute scarcity, a poor quality of raw materials, and a high cost,here is also increase in the competition,over the years, the market place has become increasingly crowded andcompetitive”, highlights Tabot George Eko, its Director.

Thecompany also face the problem of lack of access to credit.  “Insome cases, even where credit is available, the entrepreneur may lack freedomof choice because the lending conditions may force the purchase of heavy,immovable equipment that can serve as collateral for the loan”, regrets theDirector of G&J Co. Ltd. According to him creditconstraints operate in a variety of ways in Cameroon where undeveloped capitalmarket forces entrepreneurs to rely on self-financing or borrowing from friendsor relatives. “Lack of access tolong-term credit for our projects forces us to rely on high cost short termfinance. There are other various financial challenges that we face. Theyinclude the high cost of credit”, conclude Tabot George Eko.

G&J Co. Ltd isa member of the Subcontracting and Partnership of Cameroon (SPXCameroon). Its Director believes SPX Cameroon has done quite a lot for itscompany in the domain of partnerships. The company has also benefited from numeroustrainings offered by SPX Cameroon to its members that had helped in upgradingtheir technical standards for project planning, execution and closure. Theinstitution has also contributed in exposing G&J Co. Ltd and others SMEsconcerned to wither opportunities, products, services, technical and managerialskills. “With this, there is repatriationof these skill back to the benefit of the Cameroonian economy”, believes TabotGeorge Eko.

Appeal to the government

The manager of George and Jerry Construction Company appeals to thegovernment to granttax reductions to banks willing to give loans to subcontractingsector and business at a lower interest rate. Subcontracting sector andbusiness should also be informed of other available sources of financing. “The state should enter into partnershipwith foreign affiliates who not only provide means of financing but, equally,offer technical equipment assistance. Competition wise, trade fairs should beorganised nationwide in every city, where subcontracting sector and businesscould display their goods and compete with fellow businesses.  Prizes mightbe awarded for the superior goods and/or best business practices. This willmotivate subcontracting sector and business to produce quality goods and becomemore competitive at both the national and international level”, supports TabotGeorge Eko.

Thelatter also invites SPX Camroon to put in place a monitoring and evaluationmechanism of its members to see which of them is meeting standards or makingreasonable progress towards amelioration of its technical and managerialoperations. “When the performance ratingof all members is published, there will be great efforts by SMEs to measure upto or above minimum expectations”, concludes Tabot George Eko

Charles NGAH NFORGANG