Ocean Division: SNH fuels Biya's infrastructure modernisation vision.

The disability friendly two-storey building, completely refurbished into a state-of-the-art facility, to the tune of 200 million FCFA, was handed to authorities on Thursday, May 8, 2025. 

This was during a ceremony at the esplanade of the SDO's office, at the heart of the administrative quarter in Kribi.

The Governor of the South Region, Felix Nguele Nguele, presided over the ceremony which unfolded under the watchful eyes of the representative of the Executive General Manager of SNH, Nathalie Moudiki.

Some board members of SNH, local administrative, municipal, religious and traditional authorities as well as senior officials of corporation lived the ceremony. 

Governor hails SNH

Speaking at the event, the Governor of the South Region, Felix Nguele Nguele, saluted the move by SNH, which he said significantly contributes to the revitalization of the territorial administration services in the Region.

He said the move is also a “marvelous illustration of the strategic interest in promoting effective partnerships between the public and private sectors for the benefit of the community and the administration”. 

“This SNH initiative is unquestionably a model of corporate social responsibility,” Governor Nguele Nguele said. 

He said the renovated building will make the work environment more conductive and boost quality of services to the general public.

“It is now a symbol of administrative renewal and a testament to our country's ability to balance heritage and modernity,” Nguele Nguele said. 

He saluted the vision and spontaneity of SNH's management, the responsiveness of its technical team, and the exemplary spirit of collaboration between the corporation and the local authorities in the execution of the project.  

The Governor urged other economic operators to copy the example of SNH and actively contribute to the development of the seaside town. 

He challenged staff of the SDO’s office to take good care of the structure by ensuring rigourous maintenance and always keep it clean. 

SNH says action aligns with Biya’s dev’t vision 

In her address, the representative of the Executive General Manager of SNH, Nathalie Moudiki, said renovation reflects the vision of the Head of State, which is focused on the development of Cameroon through solid actions in the field of citizenship and national solidarity. 

Nathalie Moudiki said the renovated work environment will undoubtedly optimise the quality of services to users of the public administration in Kribi and Ocean Division as a whole. 

“Now let's make the most of this architectural jewel, which we must jealously guard in a spirit of civic responsibility,” she appealed to personnel of the SDO’s office and the general public. 

She used the opportunity to salute the management of BGFI Bank for joining efforts with SNH in the project by offering over 39 computers and Tradex Cameroun for offering printers. 

Counts SNH’s dev’t projects, pledges more for Kribi 

Nathalie Moudiki said the renovation of the SDO’s office is part of a series of investments that have been carried out by SNH in the last few years in development projects in Kribi which are creating jobs and changing the lot of the population.

She mentioned the floating liquefaction plant off the coast of Kribi, the domestic gas production plant at Bipaga, and the supply of natural gas to the ceramic tile manufacturing plant, Keda Cameroon Ceramics Ltd, in Bipaga.

“We have no intention of stopping here,” she assured the population of Kribi, while promising that SNH team is already at work to ensure that a “security depot for strategic fuel reserves and an integrated refinery goes operational in Kribi within 26 months”. 

What has changed at the renovated SDO’s office?

The Charge de Mission No.2 at SNH, Mai Awe Delphine, used the event to present details of the works carried out at the SDO’s office from contract award, to selection of eight local companies and 80% use of local manpower in its execution. 

Mai Awe said renovation work was monitored solely by the engineers, technicians, and managers of the SNH. 

On what was concretely done to transform the dilapidated facility to a modern structure, she mentioned stonework, plumbing, electricity, tiling, woodwork and the air-conditioning supply which was executed by a single company. 

Mai Awe said there was also metal and aluminum joinery for the frames of the bay windows, and metal joinery to secure the openings, doors, and windows.

She said the building was repainted, nine new toilets installed to add to the existing two, hand dryers, the sinks, the pots installed, tiles changed, two septic tanks and two cesspools created in compliance with standards. 

To make the building more accessible, Mai Awe said two disability friendly walkways were created on the left and right sides. She also mentioned the creation of staircases to access the offices of Second and Third Assistant SDOs which was before accessed through the main staircase.

She said the electrical installations were completely repaired, bulbs replaced and a wired telephone and computer network that provides the office with high-speed internet installed. 

The zinc which had completely deteriorated was also replaced and a layer of protection to the entire roof applied, given the salty environment with the wooden doors and windows also replaced, 

Mai Awe said the SDO's office space, his waiting room were refurbished from floor to ceiling, including the walls. The plumbing throughout the building has been redone. 

Before the repainting, she said the edges of the building's foundation, which were already affected, were reinforced, 11 garden security lights installed and a technical room created. 

A new mask to hoist and remove the flag in a solemn and dignified way was also built and the ceilings of the building changed, furniture in the offices completely refurbished and renovated among others.  

Enter Kribi City Mayor 

Speaking earlier, the City Mayor of Kribi, Guy Emmanuel Sabikanda, sounded upbeat that the renovation of the deteriorated SDO’s office building which dates back to the 1930s brings a new lease of life in the town. 

He said the move by SNH is a reminder of the collective responsibility of all and sundry in joining hands to consolidate the attractiveness of Kribi and in building a Cameroon all citizens hope and pray for.

While saluting SNH for its “highly republican and civic-minded action” which benefits the entire population, the City Mayor appealed to owners of other companies to borrow a leaf from SNH to carryout corporate social actions that benefit population. 

The ceremony was crowned with donation of gifts by SNH delegation to local authorities in Kribi who lived the event. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3446 of Monday May 12, 2025