Uncertainty Looms: Is SONARA Moving to Kribi?
By Nchendzengang Tatah
Many Cameroonians, especially those of English expression, have made known their worries as to an alleged relocation plan of SONARA, Cameroon’s National Refining Company, from Limbe in the South West to Kribi in the South region. They have further put into question the remarks of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, in Buea on May 31 regarding the maintaining of SONARA in Limbe.
Their fear has been further strengthened by a recent document allegedly stamped by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) bearing the official programme for the laying of a foundation stone for the construction of an integrated modern refinery and strategic oil products storage depot in Kribi on July 17, 2025. Mindful that the Limbe Refinery has largely been described as ineffective following a fire incident on May 31, 2019. Authorities have estimated the cost of rehabilitation to amount to CFA250 billion. PM Ngute’s assurance of reconstruction to begin by 2022 has so far not hit the ground.
Dion Ngute makes case
It is however not clear yet if this project to be commenced in Kribi to the tune of CFA161 billion to produce 250,000 tons of butiment per year, will operate as a replacement of the refinery currently installed in Limbe, which ought to benefit from the oil wells of Ndian, a neighboring Division in the same administrative unit.
PM Dion had mounted the rustroom during a ruling CPDM party elite gathering in Buea ahead of the October Presidential Elections to say the relocation of SONARA was not technically possible. He made the assertion in the presence of former PM Mafani Musonge, South West Governor Okalia Bilai, SONARA Board Chair Dr Mrs Bertha Ndoh Bakata, Ministers Paul Tasong and Victor Mengot, Members of Parliament from the six divisions of the South West and other key local stakeholders.
“Honestly, bet on the vigilance of the Head of State, SONARA will not exist. The objective of the company is to refine crude into light products. Since the destruction of the factory 6 years ago, SONARA has been there,” the Head of Government had begun his address saying.
He went on to note that despite the inefficiency of the current refinery, its staff had not been sent home in large numbers. This, he explained, was sustained by a price structure created by the government in the sale of fuel, where every litre of fuel bought has CFA47 directed to SONARA.
Dion Ngute said: “I’ve heard people say that they are going to create a refinery in Kribi. It’s not true. Technically, it’s not possible. SONARA was built by TOTAL, a French company and TOTAL built it in such a way that SONARA was importing crude from Nigeria and refining it. SONARA could not refine a litre of Cameroonian crude. But this time, they are going to redo SONARA. In such a way that the primary objective will be to refine Cameroonian crude.”
He further stated that the relocation plan was delusional since Kribi was over 250 km by road from Limbe which is closer to the zone of extraction. “Anybody who tells you that it is going to be done in Kribi is lying,” Ngute had sworn. Explaining that; “80% of the crude comes from the backwaters of Fako and Ndian. The transport cost will be enormous if you have to take it to Kribi. So technically, it is not possible,” Dion Ngute who himself hails from Ndian, stated.
The SONARA we know
Created in 1973 and inaugurated in 1981, SONARA places at the disposal of the market the following petroleum products: butane, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and distillate, according to its official website. It stated additionally that the Limbe refinery has a theoretical capacity of 2,100,000 tons/year. It was conceived at first to treat light crude (Arabian light). However, Cameroon currently produces heavy crudes, and one notes an inadequacy between the existing tools in the refinery and the crudes available.
What indigenous want
Beyond the technical need to have SONARA in its present location is the indigenous plight. One which projects that those of the South West, where the oil wells are found, deserve the location of the company to reap its social benefits. Besides this, the Deep Sea Port, which was promised to Limbe, has yet to have construction works commenced. Many have grown to lose trust in President Biya, after 42 years of his stewardship for not keeping his promises. The watch is on.
