For fast-tracking construction of B'da Gas Plant: NW CPDM elite honour CSPH Director General, Okie Johnson.

Okie Johnson, who doubles as CPDM Chargeé de Mission for the North West Region, was honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation, for championing transformative development across the Region, particularly the construction of the Bamenda Gas Plant.

The recognition was handed over to the CSPH boss at his Eleveur neighbourhood residence in Yaounde, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. 

The award was presented by a delegation of North West CPDM elite, led by Dr Nwana Sama Bernard, Board Chair of the Upper Nun Valley Development Authority, UNVDA.

Dr Nwana led the delegation on behalf of Senator Regina Mundi, Acting Head of the North West CPDM Permanent Delegation. 

Other members of the North West CPDM delegation to Okie Johnson’s residence included the party’s grassroots support mobiliser, Babila Henry, Prof Roselyn Mutia, Grace Chiangeh, Foryang Godfred Fombi, and Becha Christian. 

Okie received the merited recognition in the presence of his wife, Mrs Catherine Ntoh Okie, and some CSPH staff. 

The Certificate of Appreciation to Okie Johnson, who hails from Nguti Subdivision, Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Region, North West CPDM elite said, is an acknowledgement of his “unwavering commitment, exceptional selflessness and boundless generosity in championing transformative development across the Region”.

Enter Senator Mundi

In a letter addressed to the CSPH boss and read out during the brief ceremony, the Acting Head of the North West CPDM Permanent Delegation, Senator Regina Mundi, saluted Okie’s visionary leadership, exemplified recently by the landmark construction of the Bamenda Gas Plant.

According to Senator Mundi, the gas plant stands as a shining symbol of his relentless dedication to the welfare of the people of the Region. 

“This flagship achievement is not only a major step forward in energy infrastructure, it is a legacy that will resonate for generations, improving livelihoods and restoring hope across the North West Region and beyond,” she stated in her appreciation letter.

Going by her, Okie’s ability to turn vision into reality, even in the most challenging circumstances of the crisis-stricken Region, has inspired confidence, pride, and unity among the people of the North West Region. 

“Your efforts speak not just to your professional excellence, but to your profound love for our homeland and your deep-seated commitment to uplifting lives,” she praised Okie, while acknowledging his other invaluable contributions made in silence and humility.

While expressing their admiration and gratitude for the CSPH boss’ sacrifices, which have not gone unnoticed, the CPDM political bureau member prayed his path be guided by purpose, strengthened by the trust of the people, and blessed with greater impacts. 

Okie recounts genesis of project

In his acceptance speech, the CSPH boss praised the CPDM North West elite for accepting him as one of theirs.

“When I was appointed Chargeé de Mission in the North West Region, I was the only one in all that appointment who was not part of his Region and remain the only one till date out of his Region…,” Okie began narrating the genesis of the gas plant project. 

“One day, I was praying to God and I asked why I was appointed in a Region that is not my Region of origin? Then it came to me that when God sends his children somewhere, his children cannot leave that place without a trace there. That was the beginning of the gas plan project,” he added. 

Noting that he was amongst the first victims of the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions, Okie recalled how in one of his missions to Bamenda, he and Dr Nwana alongside others miraculously cheated death, after a separatist attack in late 2016.

“One day, I met Pa (Philemon Yang, then Prime Minister and current Head of the North West CPDM Permanent Delegation) in his office and told him the way this crisis is going, I’m afraid that these children may block trucks from moving down to Bamenda. I said, can we go to SCDP so that we build a plant? I saw that this was possible as it is within my competence (as CSPH Director General) and that’s how the decision for the plant came about,” he recounted.

The CSPH Director General then assured that the Bamenda Gas Plant is a new design with a social and industrial aspects which is the first of its kind in Cameroon. 

Efforts of CSPH staff lauded

He also credited the entire staff of CSPH, who he said worked tirelessly as a team for the realisation of the Bamenda Gas Plant.

“I can’t imagine the courage that the team of CSPH braved. None of you has gone to Bamenda as many times as they have gone without any fear. It has been realised and its functional,” he told those present at the ceremony.

The CPDM bigwig further assured the delegation of the CPDM elite that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure proper follow-up of the plant, even as measures are being taken to improve accessibility to the plant. 

“I got to the Mayor of Bamenda I municipality and we did everything for his team to electrify the centre. The water project is underway with the Ministry of Water and Energy. On the firm instruction of the Head of State, a double lane road has been approved to be constructed from Down Town Bamenda to the centre,” he explained.

Following the completion of the plant, he said the gas plant has been handed over to the Cameroon Petroleum Depots Company, SCDP, which has the technical capacity to run the plant.

Biya’s vision praised 

Okie Johnson was also not short of praises for the Head of State and National President of the ruling CPDM party, Paul Biya, for his visionary leadership in manning the affairs of the State. 

He said the construction of the Bamenda Gas Plant is a realisation of the great vision of President Biya, for the gas sector. 

President Biya, has expressed his delight in ensuring that the price of domestic gas in Bamenda and the Region is maintained at 6,500 FCFA, just as in other major cities of the country. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3482 of Monday June 23, 2025