By Ashu Manfred
The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, in his capacity as the representative of the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, yesterday, 29th April , 2025 , laid the foundation stone of a liquified gas production plant in the locality of Kang Barombi, Kumba 111 Sub Division, Meme Division Southwest Region of Cameroon.
The liquified gas filling station funded by the Hydro – Carbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH) to the tune of 7bn frs will create employment for the local population and boost the economy of the Southwest Region. The plant, we gathered, would also reduce the price of gas in the region.
The ceremony was attended by the Director General of CSPH, Okie Johnson Ndoh; the Governor of the Southwest Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai; Meme Senior Divisional Officer, Ntou’ou Ndong Chamberlain; the Divisional Officers of Kumba 1, Kumba 11, Kumba 111, Mbonge and Konye; Mayor of the Kumba City Council, Gregory Ntemeyork Mewanu; the Mayors of Kumba 1, Kumba 11, Kumba 111, Mbonge and Konye.
Also in attendance were the traditional ruler of Kumba and the Paramount ruler of the Bafaw , Senator Nfon Mukete 1V Ekoko; Senator Otte Mofa Andrew; the CPDM member of Parliament for the Meme central constituency Honourable Tabot Lawson Bakia,alias Njalla, who also doubles as the CPDM Meme 1A section president; traditional and religious authorities; CPDM militants; militants of other political parties; and a cross section of the Southwest and Meme population.
Six speeches were delivered on the occasion.
Balanced Development
In his welcome address, the Kumba City mayor, Gregory Ntemayork Mewanu, stated that the gas plant was thanks to President Paul Biya, who ensures that there is balanced development in all the ten regions of the country, adding that President Paul Biya is the Good Shepherd who ensures that there is balanced development in every Region of the country without discrimination.
He further thanked the Prime Minister, Head of Government , Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, for making sure that Kumba was selected to host one of the gas plants in the country, pointing out that the plant would create employment for the locals as well as boost the economy of the Southwest Region. He further said that the gas plant would enable the denizens of Meme Division to move from using solid fuel, or wood, to gas in cooking, adding that the gas plant is like the onset of the moon when the lame come out to walk. After chronicling Biya’s achievements to the people of Kumba, Gregory Ntemayork Mewanu stated that a nursing and midwife training Centre would soon go operational in Kumba.
In his speech, Senator Otte Mofa Andrew said he was speaking not only on behalf of CPDM militants but for the South West as a whole. He further thanked President Paul Biya for what he termed his unwavering support for the indigenes of the Southwest Region, adding that the gas plant would reduce the use of wood, thereby enhancing re – afforestation. He also credited Paul Biya with the peace that reigns in the country, especially in the South West Region. ” I can now go to Mbonge without fear. He promised Paul Biya a resounding victory in the October 2025 presidential elections.
For his part, the project coordinator, Director General of CSPH, Okie Johnson Ndoh, stated that the Hydro – Carbons Prices Stabilization Fund was created by decree no : 74 /458 of 10 May 1974, after the first oil crisis to protect the national economy from fluctuating prices of hydro carbons on the domestic and international markets , and reorganized by decree no.98/165 of 26 August 1998 and subsequently by decree no : 2019 / 032 of 24 January 2019, adding that the it is a special public establishment endowed with legal personality and financial autonomy.
After explaining the history of the corporation, Okie Johnson Ndoh stated that the focus and mission of the corporation is to regulate the distribution of petrol nation wide, adding that is the reason behind the creation of domestic petrol stations nation wide. He further stated that the creation of these domestic petrol stations falls in line with the corporate social responsibility of HPSF.
He also explained that the creation of the Kumba gas plant to be completed in 24 months is Biya’s golden gift for the people of the Southwest Region.
Meanwhile, the minister of trade , who was representing the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, highlighted the massive turn out of the population of Meme and the South West Region as proof of their loyalty to President Paul Biya, adding that the creation of the Kumba gas plant would improve the living standards of the people of the region, create employment opportunities and other long term benefits to the locals. He noted that domestic gas is essential to every household with the aim of reducing the discrepancy in distribution from Douala to the South West and other regions.
Amidst applause, he announced: ” suffer don finish.”
After the minister’s speech, the foundation stone of the Kumba gas plant was laid by the minister.
The Horizon observes that in terms of facilities, in a land of just over five hectares, and with an initial total storage capacity of 200 m3 , and with the possibility of expansion, the upcoming Kumba domestic gas filling station will include two bullet tanks, with a capacity of 100m3 each, one filling and storage hall, one truck uploading station, and a weighing bridge , two weigh Bridges, one complete fire fighting network, one hydraulic network, one complete compressed air network, one electricity generator , one administrative block, one maintenance block, one technical block, one clinic , one cafeteria, one playground, residential quarters, one rest area.
Before the ceremony proper, there was an ecumenical service prayer by Christian and Moslem clergy. The CSPH also handed out donations to the people.
The ceremony was animated by various traditional dance groups drawn from the ten regions of the country
The completed Bamenda gas station will be inaugurated on May 9th.
