Narcisse FONKOU is the Chief Executive Officer of PRESTIGE CAR WASH AND SERVICES- the most equipped and professional car wash in the Southwest Region.
For over five years now, he has been providing car-washing jobs for young university graduates especially women.
Car owners are attracted to Prestige Car Wash & Services because of its varied and affordable services offered to customers, thanks to the total commitment and care of workers.
Over 60 of his workers are young women with degrees. To him, women are committed to cleaning since they are ready to learn before practising.
Mr.Fonkou said he created Prestige Car Wash as part of his contribution to nation building by solving employment problems in Buea, especially to assist students and to keep graduates busy while they are searching for other opportunities.
The car wash also provides an opportunity for school drop outs to engage in practical skills that will help them save some money which could be used as start-up capital for their own small businesses.
Fonkou recalled that when he was 13 years, he lost his father and so six of his younger siblings were placed under his responsibility.
“It was a serious challenge. I had to hustle in order to continue my education and also to enable my younger ones continue theirs. I created this business to help children who are facing the same situation as I did before” he said.
The difficult situation Mr Fonkou found himself in made him to suspend his education for a year. But he later obtained masters in Structural Geology from the University of Yaoundé I.
Due to the increasing number of young persons who come to him to look for jobs, the CEO is searching for partners and support in order to set up many other car wash facilities in the Southwest Region in particular and the country as a whole.
Fonkou said Prestige Car Wash offers services such as car aesthetics, car detailing, car renovation and headlight restoration. He observed that his facility is 100% better than any other car wash service in Buea because he uses sophisticated machines and car shampoo in cleaning cars.
His vision is to take vehicle maintenance or car wash to another level in Cameroon and make it a noble profession for the training and certification of graduates and other young people.
Unlike other car wash owners in Buea, the CEO of Prestige Car Wash studied online and obtained various certificates in Car Detailing from the USA and South Africa and mentored by Emmanuel E. K Awumee, a renowned Car Care consultant in Ghana, Africa.
Mr. Awumee as part of his portfolio has been responsible for detailing ceremonial vehicles and other prestigious vehicles for some state installations, companies and individual personalities in Ghana.
Mr. Fonkou has advised graduates to be humble and learn skillful jobs to better their lives.
