For revolutionalising mining sector in line with presidential directives: Prof Fuh Calistus crowned Most Innovative Minister.

Minister Fuh Calistus’ noticeable and broad-based productive actions engaged in shaping the future of the mining sector in line with presidential directives, were recognised recently in Yaounde. 

The member of government was declared winner of 2023 Most Innovative Minister Award. The red feather was put on his cap by the members of the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA. 

This was during a historic ceremony organised at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde by CENPA members to recognise personalities and institutions doing their utmost to contribute to nation building and betterment of citizenry. 

The event, held under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Communication, saw in attendance several members of government, regime bigwigs, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests of timbre and calibre, drawn from all walks of life.

CENPA award jury, headed by international lawyer and anti-corruption champion, Barrister Akere Muna, disclosed that the award was on the basis of merit, after a rigorous selection process and scrutiny of the activities of the laureates. 

Other members of the award jury that vetted the recognition included the Paramount ruler of the Bafaw and King of Kumba, Senator Nfon Mukete IV Ekoko; international award-winning peace advocate, Esther Omam, and the President of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo. 

The award jury president, Batonnier Akere Muna said Prof Fuh Calistus was knighted for his “…multifaceted show of know-how, dynamism and dexterity in making real Presidential instructions in revolutionalising Cameroon’s mining sector in line with global shifts”. 

The recognition from CENPA, it should be noted, is the second this year, which Prof Fuh Calistus is bagging for his indefatigable efforts in steering the affairs of the ministry in line with the instructions of President Biya.  

Minister Fuh Calistus was a laureate of the 21st edition of The Guardian Post Achievement Award where he was declared winner of 2023 Most Performant Minister of The Year Award. 

The award jury had said during the ceremony that majority of voters backed Prof Fuh Calistus for the landmark transformation within the mines ministry and making it a pillar in the development of the country and in the attainment of President Biya’s emergence vision by 2025. 

Kick-starting mining projects

Since assuming the position of Interim mines minister on January 30, 2023, Prof Fuh Calistus has ensured the three mining projects announced by the President Biya during his 2022 end-of-year address to the nation have effectively commence.

This includes the Mbalam-Nabeba, Grand-Zambi-Bipindi and Kribi-Lobe iron ore projects, which have all kicked off thanks to Prof Fuh Calistus’ regular field visits.

Prof Fuh Calistus has also pushed for the start of a fourth mining project in the East Region. The industrial exploitation of the small-scale gold mine in Colomine is being implemented by the Colomine Mining Corporation SA, COMINAR, which is a subsidiary of the Cameroonian gold mining company, Codias SA. 

The minister has also engaged moves to restructure some medium term and long-term mining projects to short term projects, with the view of their effective start this year or next year. 

These measures are in line with government’s ambition of transforming Cameroon from a country of mineral potential to a mineral producing country. 

Order in quarry sector

In compliance with the law of the land, the interim mines minister launched an offensive to instill order in the quarry sector. The mines ministry engaged actors in the sector, notably industrial quarry operators, employers' associations and quarry product transporters' unions, to comply with the law, especially in the monitoring and payment of the Secure Waybill. 

He recently banned the sale of gravel from public quarries during a working visit to the South Region of the country.

Last year, the minister also engaged mining operators to produce and execute plans to restore the environment after mining activities with severe warnings of shutting down companies that fail to comply with the law.

To ensure that these restoration plans are implemented, councils where mining or quarry activities are being carried out, have been empowered to monitor the activities. 

Ensuring conformity, standardising industries

Prof Fuh Calistus has equally placed emphasis on conformity and standardisation in the industrial sector. He embarked on working visits to Douala, to assess the standards, norms and conformity of manufacturing industries. 

Accompanied during the visits by officials of the Standards and Quality Agency, ANOR, and the Enterprise Upgrading Office abbreviated in French as BMN, the minister inspected some plants of the iron and steel, and cement sectors.

He also held working sessions with the stakeholders to emphasise on respecting norms and standards, as well as seeking how to lower their cost of production. 

Markets Cameroon’s mining potentials at CIMEC 2024 

Through the hosting of the Cameroon International Mining Exhibition Convention, CIMEC, and the council of ministers meeting of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, OACPS, Prof Fuh Calistus gave a fresh impetus to Cameroon’s national mining renaissance and attachment to global trends. 

This is so as he used the events to market Cameroon’s mining potentials. Prof Fuh Calistus’ intellectual savvy and flexibility in redynamising the nation’s extractive industry sector, many say, is establishing a new blueprint for the continent’s mining sector.

He has also appeared several before lawmakers in parliament to explain the gains of the Head of State’s interest in working the mining sector in simple terms to get the attention of all national and key international stakeholders in the process. 

The minister’s power of commitment in ensuring that many mining projects dear to the Head of State are pacing off at acceptable standard and speed, is another area that has continued to warm the hearts of many who say the least they can do is recognise his efforts with an award.

Dedicates award to ministry staff

Speaking while receiving the award from CENPA, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry said he was dedicating the distinction to both the internal and external staff of the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development.

He thanked CENPA’s award jury for the recognition, saying he felt highly honoured. He promised to continue to implement presidential directives, with the goal being to revolutionise the country’s mining sector. 

This story was first Published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3194 of Friday August 09, 2024