IS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT INCOMPATIBLE WITH CONSTRAINTS OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY IN CAMEROON?
A. Kemajou *, O. Bergossi**, T. Tamo Tatietse ***, B.S. Diboma*
* Ecole Normale Supérieure d'Enseignement Technique, ENSET - Université de Douala, BP 1872 Douala, Cameroon Mobile phone: (237) 77 76 74 80, e-mail: kemajoualexis@yahoo.fr Mobile phone: (237) 77 69 96 31 e-mail: benjamin_diboma@yahoo.fr
**CREIDD, Université de technologie de Troyes, 12 rue Marie Curie, BP 2060, 10010 Troyes cedex, France e-mail: olivier.bergossi@utt.fr
***Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique, ENSP, Université de Yaoundé I BP 83902 Yaoundé, Cameroun Phone: (237) 22 22 45 47, e-mail: thomas_tatietse@hotmail.com
Received: 24 Sept 2007; accepted: 31 Oct 2007
The present industrial development trend in Cameroon does not give the expected results but rather accumulate environmental risks. This article analyzes industrial practices in a number of key sectors from the angle of industrial ecology, showing a non optimized consumption of inputs and energy as well as non-rationally exploited resources. If the increase of input is added to the dilapidated industrial fabric it would give a massive increase of waste which is a considerable pollution source. Examples and suggestions on the possibilities of applications of industrial ecology to Cameroon are presented at the end of this article.
Keywords: ecological problems of industrial megapolises, problems of factory and domestic waste utilization, sustainable development
Organization: Thermal and Environmental Research Laboratory, Teaching Researcher in charge of research within the Energy, Thermal and Environment Research Laboratory at ENSET. Education: PhD in Energy Engineering Sciences, University of Yaoundé I (UYI) - ENSP (19901995), DESS in Energy Management - University of Reims France, Faculty of Sciences (1986-1987) - Engineer in Industrial Thermal Management - French Institute of the Thermal Studies and climate Management of Paris (1982-1986).
Experience: APAVE - Bordeaux France, Engineer (1987-1990). ENSP UYI Cameroon, Assistant Lecturer (1990-1995). ENSET UD, Lecturer (1995-2007).
Main range of scientific interest: thermal and energy studies on buildings, energy efficiency and the environment, air conditioning.
Publications: 4 articles specialised reviews and 8 communications.
Organization: Center for Research and Interdisciplinary Studies on Sustainable Development (CREIDD), University of technology of Troyes (UTT, France).
Education: Doctorate in Engineering Sciences, 1995, University of Franche-Comté (France), Master degree in Industrial Ecology, 2003, UTT.
Experience: Lecturer (UTT, 1996-2005), Research on near-field optics (1996-2001, UTT), Sustainable development (since 2003, UTT), Technology of Information and Communication in Education (TICE) for engineering (since 2001, UTT) - French cooperation in Cameroon, project "Comètes" (2005-2007).
Main range of scientific interest: physics (optoelectronics and nanotechnologies), TICE, sustainable development (industrial ecology, ecological footprint).
Publications: 11 articles about near-field optics, 2 articles about TICE and 2 articles about sustainable development.
Organisation: School of Engineering (Ecole Polytechnique), University of Yaoundé I.
Education: Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique Yaoundé, DEA, Doctorat INSA from Lyon (France), Postdoctorat Université Laval (Canada), HDR Institut National Polytechnique Grenoble (France).
Experience: University Lecturer, Visiting Teacher-Researcher at Université Laval (Canada), at Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble and at INSA Lyon (France), at Université de Liège (Belgique). Presently Head of the Civil Engineering Department at the School of Engineering UYI, since 2001. Deputy Director of the School of Engineering since 2004.
Main range of scientific interest: applied hydrology, electrical Energy, conception and management of networks, optimisation of combinations, programming of civil engineering constructions, management of productions.
Publications: 12 articles in high reference international scientific reviews, as well as 22 communications during international conferences.
Alexis Kemajou
Olivier Bergossi
Thomas Tamo Tatietse
International Scientific Journal for Alternative Energy and Ecology № 6 (62) 2008
© Scientific Technical Centre «TATA», 2008
л Л г - Ж
Benjamin S. Diboma
Organization: University of Douala, Temporary Assistant Lecturer in Research within the Energy, Thermal and Environment Research Laboratory of ENSET Douala, PhD student in Energy Engineering Sciences.
Education: DEA in Energy Studies EDSFA (2005-2007), Energy Laboratory. DIPLET in Air-conditioning - ENSET, University of Douala (1994-1997 and 2002-2004).
Experience: Technical high school Obala (Cameroon) (1997-2002) ENSET - University of Douala, Temporary Assistant Lecturer (2002-2007).
Main range of scientific interest: energy, electricity, thermal networks in buildings, energy efficiency and the environment, air-conditioning. Publications: 1 communication.
Introduction
Developing countries (DC) are confronted with several problems which include delay in technology development, dilapidation of industrial fabric [1], insufficient financial means, use of not optimal transformation and production processes, but also sociopolitical aspects such as poor governance, general level of education, continuous demographic growth or certain cultural impediments. In this era of globalization, the "classical" manner of economical development used by western countries during the two past centuries does not seem operational in these countries, notably those of the African continent. To the above enumerated constraints should be added that of global warming of the planet and international competitive rush for primary products (oil, ores). Several big-time DC are carrying out original developments activities which put the environment at the heart of development politics. Brazil has been recognized as pioneer in bio fuels for example, but the efforts of China are so enormous in this area, according to the level of challenges that she must face in a bid to modernize her industrial base [2]. China's leadership strives to set up a "cyclical" economy [2], which greatly ties in with the scientific notion of industrial ecology [3]. As such, could this original mode of industrial ecology be applied to another group of DC, given that Sub-Saharan Africa countries are bogged down by development problems for which classical solutions advocated by the western international experts do not seem to have an answer? If yes, which basic principles adaptations of industrial ecology or circular economy, will be required in order to take account of their local constraints and their development priorities? The representative sample country chosen for this study is Cameroon, given its position, size, and development level, often presented as "Africa in miniature". As early as 1999, the Institute for Communication and Analysis of Sciences and Technologies (ICAST) carried out a fact-finding mission to Cameroon on the concrete perspectives of industrial ecology in Africa [4]. We are now using this study as our takeoff point, while directing our research and investigations towards some key sectors of industrial ecology, especially the waste sector. The increase of input and energy flux, added to the current trend of economical growth in DC, have resulted in a massive increase in waste, which in itself is a source of pollution and degradation of the environment.
Furthermore, through inquiry carried out on a representative sample of Cameroonian corporations, this study will examine the treatment of domestic and industrial waste and make an inventory of actions and possibilities of industrial ecology in the informal sector. The ensuing results and discussions will bring out the possible contributions of industrial ecology to the setting up of models that would valorise waste management and optimize the flux of inputs and energies in Cameroon. Above all else in this sector, industrial operators as well as politicians in charge and all development actors must ask the following question: how could we optimize the flux of input and energy while improving productivity and preserving the environment and available resources? This preoccupation goes beyond pollution problems and delves into the long term evolution of Cameroon's industrial fabric as a whole; it even delves into the sub regional framework of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) [5].
Context
Presentation of Cameroon
Geographic situation in Africa Cameroon is often called "Africa in Miniature". This is because it is representative of the continent in several ways and is situated in the centre of Africa (Fig. 1). It covers varied vegetations, climatic and cultural zones, as well as comprising very varied populations. As compared to other African countries, Cameroon appears to be extremely rich in natural resources and in potentialities of all sorts. Farming and husbandry benefit from very favourable climatic conditions and vegetation.
Международный научный журнал «Альтернативная энергетика и экология» № 6 (62) 2008 © Научно-технический центр «TATA», 2008
Exploitation of the equatorial forest here is very lucrative. The subsoil is rich in oil, bauxite, iron and various minerals. In the South of Cameroon, the dense hydrographical network could guarantee water and the electricity for all. Well mastered tourism, currently a neglected domain, could be one of the pillars of development. Unfortunately, the management of the all these resources is not yet optimum and a great majority of the population lives below poverty line.
Some basic data [6] The Republic of Cameroon is situated in the central region of Africa and extends northwards from the Gulf of Guinea by the ocean Atlantic to Lake Chad. This triangular-shaped country spreads out over
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