At inauguration of Bamenda gas filling centre: Energy minister hails CSPH management for job well done.

He was speaking while inaugurating the gas filling centre, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute. 

The centre, located in Bangshie, Bamendankwe, in Bamenda I Subdivision, Mezam Division, in the North West Region, was officially put to use on Friday May 9, 2025.

Several personalities, including the Director General of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund, CSPH, Okie Johnson; the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, Members of Parliament, Senators and other elite of the Region witnessed the ceremony. 

In his address, Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba told the population of the North West Region that the gas filling centre is part of government's efforts to provide each Region with at least one gas storage and filling centre.

He also confirmed to the population that as announced during the laying of foundation stone, the price of domestic gas has been reduced and harmonised at 6,500 FCFA per 12.5kg of gas.

While calling on the population to make good use of the special gift donated to the North West Region, by the Head of State, Minister Gaston Eloundou equally revealed that the gas filling centre is coming to curb the problem of deforestation. He urged the population to quit using firewood and enjoy the affordable gas.

The representative of the Prime Minister also used the opportunity to call on authorities of the North West Region to fight fraud and discrimination within the filling centre.

While congratulating the management of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund for overseeing the construction of the centre, Minister Gaston Eloundou urged them to also make sure sons and daughters of the Region are recruited to work in the centre.

Enter CSPH Director General

According to the Director General of CSPH, Okie Johnson, the project was realised thanks to the efforts of the administration of the Region, several companies, and the population. He added that the ultra-modern complex reflects the dynamism of the public authorities in the petroleum sector in Cameroon.

"The facility will serve public interest in many ways. This project falls in line with the objective defined by the government in the master plan for the energy sector, and development as described by the Head of State," Okie said.

While calling on the population to take control of the centre, Okie also enjoined the youth, and elite to have confidence in the government and the nation. He urged sons and daughters of the North West Region who are outside to come back and invest in their region.

About the Bamenda LPG filling centre 

The Bamenda Liquified Petroleum Gas filling centre is constructed on ten hectares of land. It comprises two main areas; the operational and the residential area.

The operational area includes; the fire water tank, air compressor, dryer station, fire water pump, house LPG compressor building, LPG cylinder filling hall, LPG bullets tanks, LPG cylinder storage hall, the administrative building, operational building, and maintenance building.

Meanwhile, the residential area includes the staff quarters, clinic, restaurant, football field, tankers withholding area.

"This structure we are inaugurating today is special because, unlike the other sectors, it is a brand new model integrated with an industrial component characterised with a modernised and automated equipment. It is the first of its kind ever to be constructed in Cameroon, and the North West Region happens to be the first to benefit from this innovation. Its functionality meets the requirements of an ultra-modern gas filling and storage system," Okie added.

According to the Director of Jens Production LTD, Kronakegha Uti, the ultra-modern centre has a capacity of filling over 600 cylinders within an hour. He added that the filling centre is envisaged to have over 400 cubic litres of Liquified Petroleum Gas.

Recognition, presentation of gifts

The inaugural ceremony also saw some of the authorities who played key roles in its realisation awarded medals.

The Director General of CSPH, Okie Johnson, was knighted and promoted to the rank of Officer of the Order of Valour. He received the medal from the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, for championing the construction of the centre.

Other authorities like the Divisional Officer, DO, of Bamenda I, Mayor of Bamenda I Council, the Fon of Bamendankwe village, security officers, and some staff of the CSPH were also knighted. 

The event ended with the presentation of gifts to the minister, and the Director General of CSPH. They both received gifts from the traditional authorities, CPDM North West elite, North West Regional Assembly, and others.

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