Socioeconomic impacts of sand harvesting along the Sanaga River in Nkol’Ossananga locality (Yaoundé-Cameroon): a vision toward a mechanized operation for sustainable exploitation[Impacts socio-economiques de l’exploitation artisanale du sable sanaga dans la localite de nkol’ossananga (Yaounde, Cameroun) : vers une exploitation semi-mecanisée]

This paper presents the impacts of Nkol'Ossananga sand harvesting on social live and local economy based on field investigations and data analysis. Laboratory analysis of sand samples from the site has shown that the cleanliness of the Nkol'Ossananga sand nears 100%. This means that Nkol'Ossananga sand is pure and clean, most appropriate for house constructions and building engineering. The activity produces incomes to all actors of the chain value and government. Incomes generated are used by artisans to build their houses, buy some electronic devices, and take care of their families or to capitalize in their business investigation. In spite of the positive impacts presumed, Nkol'Ossananga sand harvesting also stands as the origin of many negative impacts including cultural brewing, delinquency, precocious abandon of studies and abandon of agriculture. The exploitation is done with rudimentary tools and poor technics thereby exposing artisans to several risks and illnesses. For sustainable exploitation, a mechanized operation has to be implemented. This kind of exploitation is the one that will improve the working conditions, increase production and incomes of workers as similar as that of government, and also reduces negative environmental impacts. Key words: Nkol'Ossananga sand, rudimentary tools and poor technics, incomes, negative impacts, sustainable exploitation, mechanized operation.