Energy minister tasks new SONARA GM to speed up reconstruction.

The minister made the call at the end of an extraordinary Board of Directors meeting of SONARA, held Friday February 9, in Limbe, during which Harouna Bako was appointed and officially installed as the corporation’s new General Manager. 

Harouna Bako replaced Jean-Paul Simo Njonou, who was in office since January 14, 2019. During the installation ceremony, Minister Eloundou Essomba appreciated the performance of the outgoing General Manager. 

"Your stay at SONARA will undoubtedly remain memorable for the staff in particular, and for the large family of the energy sub-sector in general, for whom you will certainly remain a resource person," he said. 

Minister Eloundou Essomba equally emphasised the importance of recruiting both financial and technical partners to facilitate the rebuilding process, while enhancing the damaged infrastructure.

Highlighting the strategic significance of the refinery's reconstruction, the minister emphasised the integration of a hydrocracking unit, DHC, to refine Cameroon's crude oil into higher-value products. 

The upgrade, he said, will aim to maximise profitability by producing premium-grade products for the market.

Furthermore, the minister stressed the imperative for the new SONARA General Manager to ensure the availability of petroleum products in the domestic market, as mandated by the State's 80% share. 

The transformation of SONARA into a primary depot was underscored, with emphasis on the development and conversion of storage tanks to generate substantial revenue.

"In the same vein, as SONARA's laboratory is an international benchmark that guarantees the quality of products placed on the market, I urge you to pay special attention to its operation and functioning, as the guarantee of our country's radiance," Minister Eloundou Essomba stated. 

The overarching responsibility of the new General Manager includes fostering a harmonious work environment and safeguarding public interest. 

The minister underscored the need for the new General Manager to establish performance metrics and specifications to drive results-oriented management within the company.

"It will therefore be your responsibility to draw up a set of specifications, together with performance indicators, which will enable you to objectively assess individual and collective performance within the company. Results-based management should be your guiding compass," Eloundou Essomba stressed. 

He reiterated the critical role of SONARA in supplying petroleum products to meet the nation's needs, highlighting the importance of swift and efficient reconstruction efforts.

About new General Manager 

Born on September 18, 1963, in Nanga Eboko, Harouna Bako is a trained magistrate of the 1982-1987 batch of the National School of Magistracy, ENAM. He holds several diplomas in the field of public management.

Regarding his professional career, the senior magistrate has held several positions within the judiciary and public administration, including that of Deputy Director General of the Port Authority of Kribi. He also doubles as Director General of the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company, COTCO. 

It should be recalled that on May 31, 2019, SONARA experienced a disaster in its facilities, which damaged five main production units, causing the company to lose its production capacity.