By Joy Bikom
The General Manager of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund (CSPH), Okie Johnson Ndoh, has outlined key details of the upcoming Kumba gas plant, describing it as a “gift from the President of the Republic to the Southwest Region.”
He was speaking on Friday, August 29, 2025, during his first official visit and inspection tour of the project site.
The working session, which brought together the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Meme, Kumba City Mayor Gregory Mewanu, mayors of the subdivisions, and other local authorities, took place after a thorough inspection of the 10-hectare site earmarked for the project.
Okie Johnson revealed that the project, worth 7 billion FCFA, will run for 22 months and is divided into two major components: a social section with residential areas, playing grounds, and recreational facilities, and an industrial section which will house production infrastructure.
He emphasized that the plant will be one of the most modern and automated in the country, tripling the daily production of gas bottles. It will supply not only Kumba but also cities such as Douala. Bottles of 6kg, 12kg, and 45kg will be available, with prices for normal household bottles fixed at 6,500 FCFA.
The CSPH GM appreciated the flatness of the land, noting it will ease construction work, and disclosed that funding for the project is already secured. He also insisted on land security to avoid future disputes.
Highlighting the importance of standards, Johnson recalled that CSPH had conducted 44 control visits in Bamenda’s recently inaugurated gas plant, expressing hope that in Kumba the process will require fewer checks.
He further assured that by the end of the construction, the gas plant site will also serve as a touristic attraction.
During the interactive session, City Mayor Gregory Mewanu appealed for a 90KW power supply to support the plant, a demand the CSPH GM promised to follow up. The GM also instructed the Delegate of Public Works to prepare a proposal for a classic two-way road to ease access to the site.
The issue of security was also addressed, with Johnson stressing that traditional rulers and the population will play a crucial role alongside state forces.
On her part, Ndoh Bartha, speaking on behalf of women, pledged local support, saying they would routinely visit the site and prepare food for workers to encourage the project.
Okie Johnson reassured participants that the Kumba gas plant is a priority program for CSPH. “The financing has already been made available. We are determined to deliver this project within the set timeframe,” he said.
