A quick disbursement to kick-start the port project is a positive sign, considering the poor execution of capital projects-estimated at roughly 50% between 2006 and 2009 (September 2010, Economic policy)-but spending on infrastructure will remain below target in the 2010 budget. Although the government raised the equivalent of 30% of the 2010 capital budget in the bond issuance, several regions reported execution rates of less than 10% during the first nine months of the year, and the norm was between 30% and 40%. Moreover, the bond issuance itself was delayed until the end of the financial year, which implies that it will be used largely either to settle payment arrears or to boost execution rates in 2011. In addition to poor execution rates, the government has a poor record on implementing quality projects. According to an audit of road projects conducted in November 2010, only 53% of roads constructed between November 2008 and September 2010 were considered "good" or "satisfactory".

Although the government has clearly prioritised infrastructure spending in the 2011 budget (December 2010, Economic policy), distorted procurement processes, embezzlement and weak monitoring will continue to haunt development projects in Cameroon. Acknowledging this problem in his New Year's speech, Mr Biya laid the blame for his government's poor record on the shoulders of "egocentric" and "unpatriotic" officials. A number of reforms in recent years to strengthen parliamentary and citizen control in the implementation of public investment projects have achieved little, casting doubts on how efficiently the funds raised from the bond will be spent if the government is responsible for implementation.