New Gas Plant in Bamenda Promises Affordable Energy, Jobs to Crisis-hit Region

By Tata Mbunwe

A new gas plant inaugurated in Bamenda on May 9, 2025, by the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, promises to transform access to clean energy in the North West Region, in addition to providing about 1,000 jobs.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Filling Centre, constructed by the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilization Fund (HPSF), is situated in Bamendankwe, Bamenda I Municipality.

The inauguration ceremony on May 9 was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Governor of the North West Region, members of the North West Regional House of Assembly, traditional rulers, and other elites.

The new gas plant is projected to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, and will significantly boost the local economy, especially in a region battling with a protracted armed conflict that has whipped up cost of living.

Government officials who presided at the inauguration said the plant will lower the cost of cooking gas significantly.

The price of a 12.5kg gas cylinder, which has in the past risen to as much as FCFA 13,000 in Bamenda due to scarcity and armed conflict, will now be reduced to a homologated price of FCFA 6,500.

“Taking into consideration that gas is consumed by everybody, we have a homologated price of CFA 6,500. We will make sure that at this centre, gas is sold at CFA 6,500. The North West Region will be able to have quality gas, which will be available all the time,” said Okie Johnson, General Manager of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund.

Long-term Struggles Accessing Affordable Gas

For years, residents of Bamenda and other areas in the North West have struggled with erratic gas supply and soaring prices, a situation worsened by the security crisis and poor road infrastructure.

The opening of the Bamenda Gas Plant is expected to alleviate this burden and provide stable access to clean cooking energy.

Environmentalists also believe this will significantly curtail the exploitation of forest resources for firewood.

The centre, whose construction began in 2022, has the capacity to fill between 600 to 650 gas cylinders per hour, according to Gens Construction Ltd, the company behind its construction.

The Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, said the initiative is part of the government’s strategy to decentralize industrial activities, reduce pressure on the Douala industrial zone, and foster regional development.

He launched the construction of a second gas plant in Kumba, South West Region, last month.

He said it was part of the government’s bigger efforts to improve energy access across Cameroon.

With the Bamenda Gas Plant now operational, thousands of households in the North West are expected to benefit from cheaper, readily available cooking gas.

This will bring hope and economic relief to a region that has been in urgent need of both.