The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana has chaired a consultation meeting with stakeholders in charge of the distribution and sale of cooking gas in Cameroon.

The meeting organised this 2nd December 2014 was intended to identify efficient ways of protecting the population from accidents caused by domestic gas and ensure that consumers get the 12.5 kg weight of gas that they are expected to pay for.

Concerning the security of the population, participants agreed to put in place strict control mechanisms.

Accordingly, any business concerned with the sale and distribution of domestic gas must have a license delivered by competent authorities.

A database for all dealers in gas will also be constituted in order to easily track down illegal vendors.

Concerning the sales of less than 12.5 kg bottles of gas, participants resolved to ensure that all bottles be sealed at the fuelling stations before put for sale in the markets.

Vendors caught for cheating shall be required to pay heavy penalties.

The Minister of trade, during the meeting argued that cooking gas is one of the hydrocarbon products which is dangerous to humanity reason why there is dire need to put order in the distribution and sale of the product.

The meeting was organised one week after the dramatic incident in Etoudi that caused the explosion of 3000 gas bottles and a substantial loss of property.