If Materialized, Problems The Bamenda Gas Filling Depot Will Solve

Martial Gnoukapasir

Image of SCTM domestic gas courtesy of camerounweb

The general manager of the Hydrocarbon Price Stabilization Fund - Okie Johnson Ndoh announced Thursday January 28th during a visit at the Bamenda City Council, that studies will commence for a gas filling centre to be constructed in the chief town of the North West region.

His pronouncement in the presence of local administrative stakeholders who received him in the region is fast spreading into the ears of domestic gas consumers within the city and beyond, who've faced and are still witnessing a number of setbacks in consuming the product.

Okie Johnson presenting letter authorizing project to Fru Angwafo

The challenges include:

A. Scarcity

Often times consumers of this basic commodity - especially users of the SCTM gas, go for months without it oweing to it's unavailability in the market.

It is very common at such moments for one to get frustrating response from gas vendors like 'Gas no dey', 'Motor nova enter town na one month today', when one steps out to buy.

B). Price hike

Despite the fact that the Hydrocarbon Price Stabilization Fund on instructions from government subsidizes yearly the price of domestic cooking gas in the country, users in the city of Bamenda in particular and the north west in general still purchase it for 8000, 8500frs with the price skyrocketing to 11000 -12500frs at times.

Suppliers of the commodity sometimes create artificial scarcity to influence the price to

their advantage.

C). Half filled bottles

Many users of gas have been victims of this fraud, orchestrated by some vendors. They reduce the content of the gas bottle, leaving the buyer with just half or 1/3 of it's content.

D) Delay In Supply/Transportation

As a result of the bad roads linking the north west and other towns hosting filling centres, there exist also the problem of delay in supply of the commodity, and the list continues

presentation of the project at the city council chambers

The envisaged Bamenda gas plant to cost approximately 5billion FCFA, swallowing 6-10hectres of land according to the fund's manager, will help reduce the price of domestic gas to 6500frs as sold in some other towns of Cameroon.

"I am here to bring this good news from the head of state, who has approved and decided that a gas filling centre be constructed in Bamenda for the North West region"

He presented the letter granting the project to the senior divisional officer for Mezam, President of the Regional Assembly and the Bamenda City Mayor, soliciting their support to speed up the administrative process for feasibility studies to begin on an out-of-town site to be made available by the North West administration.

Fund's GM on a guided tour of the city council structure and facilities

He asked for the authorities to ensure the land is made available on time so that the project can be factored and budgeted for in the fund's 2022 plan of action.

"This project will cost the government close to 5billion and will cover a surface area of at least 10hectres of land"

The president of the regional assembly prof Fru Angwafo reacting said, the project marks the begining of the many programs to benefit the region under the special status.

"There'll be no more excuse for traders of domestic gas to increase the price of this commodity"

Mezam SDO (in the middle) at presentation ceremony

The Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam Mooh Emile Simo promised that the administrative procedure to facilitate the commencement of the project will be handle.

"This project will not just solve the issue of gas, it will also create jobs. People will be able to save the extra amount they currently spend each time they purchase gas" he added.