In what is being described as a leap towards energy accessibility, price reduction, and environmental conservation, the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, representing Prime Minister Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, on Friday 9 May 2025, officially inaugurated the Bamenda Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Filling Centre located in Bangshie, Bamendakwe.
Demonstration of the fire fighting water system at the gas plant
The state-of-the-art installation, developed by the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund (HPSF), comes at a critical time when households in Bamenda are grappling with soaring gas prices most notably the 12kg domestic gas bottles currently retailing at no less than 8,000 FCFA.
With the opening of the new centre, which has a storage capacity of 200 metric tonnes and the ability to fill up to 650 gas bottles per hour, authorities and citizens alike are optimistic that the closer proximity of this facility will drastically cut transportation costs that have been factored into local gas prices. For decades, gas bottles destined for Bamenda were filled in Bafoussam over 80 kilometres away incurring additional logistics expenses estimated at 9,398 FCFA per tonne.
“Beyond increasing supply efficiency, it will help stabilise prices in the North West region and make gas more accessible for households, especially at a time when cost of living concerns are rising nationwide.” Okie Johnson Ndoh, General Manager of the HPSF said
According the HPSF General Manager, the initiative is part of Cameroon’s broader “butanisation” policy and the national energy sector master plan, spearheaded under the directives of President Paul Biya, with the goal of reducing reliance on wood fuel and curbing deforestation. The construction of LPG filling centres in Maroua, Bertoua, and now Bamenda reflects a growing national commitment to improving living standards through sustainable energy access.
In his keynote address, Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba emphasised the project's alignment with the National Development Strategy (SND30), which envisions Cameroon as an emerging, united, and environmentally responsible nation by 2035.
According to the Minister, by reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal, this project directly contributes to environmental conservation and health improvement for the people, particularly those exposed to indoor air pollution.
For a region long affected by conflict and economic uncertainty, the Bamenda LPG Filling Centre is not only an infrastructural achievement but a promise of social progress. Its comprehensive setup includes not only operational installations such as the LPG cylinder filling hall, air compressor systems, and fire suppression equipment, but also residential quarters, a clinic, recreational facilities, and administrative buildings designed to enhance working conditions and ensure sustainable operations.
The environmental angle is especially critical. Deforestation and land degradation have plagued parts of the North West Region especially Bamenda and other other towns like Nkambe, Kumbo due to the prevalent use of biomass for cooking. The availability of cheaper and more accessible gas will offer an attractive alternative, potentially sparing the region’s forests and improving biodiversity.
Speaking to Hilltopvoices on the sidelines of the inauguration, Nyuykighan Veronica, a local food vendor in Nkwen, expressed hope that the development would translate into real financial relief.
“Every week, we spend huge amounts on gas, and the price is unpredictable. If this centre truly helps reduce prices, it will mean more savings for families like mine,” she said
The inauguration also sends a strong message of economic decentralisation and development equity. Bamenda, often perceived as marginalised in national infrastructure distribution, now joins other cities like Maroua and Bertoua as beneficiaries of direct state investment in modern energy infrastructure.
According to HPSF, domestic gas consumption in Cameroon has surged by over 459% in the last 15 years—from 36,184 metric tonnes in 2008 to over 201,852 metric tonnes in 2024. Yet, storage infrastructure has not kept pace. The Douala main depot, for instance, holds just 3,500 metric tonnes—far short of the optimal 7,000 tonnes needed to meet the nation's expanding needs. The addition of regional centres like Bamenda is therefore crucial for national energy security.
Though some auxiliary works are still ongoing at the site, such as the road leading to the facility, landscaping and final electrical fittings, the operational core of the Bamenda facility is now fully functional, signalling immediate relief in gas availability.
By Bakah Derick/Hilltopvoices News
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