The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, representing the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, has laid the foundation stone of a domestic gas storage and filling station for the South West region in Kumba.
During the ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, Minister Mbarga Atangana, who is also the board chair of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund, HPSF, said the infrastructure is a great, marvelous and special gift from the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, to the people of the South West region.
According to the minister, the initiative is in line with the vision of President Paul Biya to improve on the livelihoods of the population.
In Cameroon, he noted, domestic gas is a basic necessity and the construction of the gas plant is to correct the disparities in supply, which has been centered in Yaounde and Douala, with far reaching consequences such as distance, regular shortages and high prices.
He said there will be no more speculation and shortages once the construction of the infrastructure is completed.
Mbarga revealed domestic gas storage and filling stations will be constructed in all the ten regions of Cameroon, as no region will be forgotten in the development drive.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund, Okie Johnson Ndoh, said the choice of Kumba as the site of the facility is by dint of its strategic location linking all the six divisions of the South West region as it will ease the transportation of domestic gas and bottles.
He revealed the gas plant in kumba will be an exception because the other gas storage and filling stations have been located at the regional headquarters.
"Unlike the others, it will be very modern, super modern and will add as a catalyst of economic growth throughout the South West region," Okie noted.
While stating the Prime Minister, Head of Government gave special directives on the implementation of the project, th boss called on the population to collaborate with the administration and contractors so the project can be received early enough.
Earlier, both the City Mayor of Kumba City Council, Gregory Ntemoyok Mewanu, and; the representative of elected officials of Meme division and the South West region, Senator Andrew Otte Mofa, thanked the Head of State, President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, Head of Government, for the gift, noting that the initiative aimed at improving daily lives of the inhabitants.
They acknowledged the coming of the infrastructure to kumba shows government's drive in the equitable distribution of resources.
Senator Andrew Otte called on President Biya to be their candidate in the upcoming presidential election in Cameroon and promised him a resounding victory.
Just like an ecumenical prayer by both Christians and Muslims at the start of the event, traditional authorities performed rites for the success of the project during which Minister Mbarga Atangana was dressed in the native attire of the people of the area.
The Domestic Gas Project
The project on a ten hectares of land surface in Barombi Kang, Kumba, is to be constructed in 24 months.
To the General Manager of HPSF, Okie Johnson Ndoh, the gas plant to cost over 7 billion FCFA, is expected to cater for the increasing demand of domestic gas, avert shortages and price hike.
He revealed the storage and distribution plant will comprise of two tanks each with a capacity of 100 m3; filling and storage hall; Administrative building; Maintenance building; Technical bulding; Residential houses; Recreation area; Clinic; Carrousel; Generator; Weigh bridges; and Rest areas.
“Its importance would not only be felt economically but socially as it would be a tourist attraction site," Okie noted.
He revealed HPSF is committed in carrying out its corporate social responsibility.
He said:"This project goes beyond the construction of the gas plant.Accompanying projects like the opening of the road and possible tarring of it and the electrification of the community are in view. With the structures we are putting up, this will become a tourist site, thereby bringing more income into the community. Indeed, the HPSF is committed to improving communities via corporate social responsibility."
So far, before kumba, the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund carried out the project in Maroua in the Far North region, Bertoua in the East region, Bamenda in the North West region, and recently in Ebolowa in the South region.
The Bamenda gas plant will be inaugurated on may 9, 2025, following completion of construction works.
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