The cost-effective reserves have better prospects for socio-economic growth.

Cameroon's first-ever onshore gas production, the Logbaba natural gas field, in the Ndogpassi neigbourhood, Douala III Subdivision, Wouri Division of the Littoral Region, is already creating sensation within and without the economic capital. Some 18 no-nonsense companies have already subscribed to the clean, cost-effective, available and environment-friendly gas and are currently using it for heating purposes. These include UCB, SABC (2), Cicam (2), Guinness, Prometal, Chococam, Plasticam, CCC, Camlait (2) HACC, Cimencam, SONARA among others.

The plant, constructed thanks to partnership between the National Hydrocarbons Corporation and a British firm, Victoria Oil & Gas, through its subsidiary, Rodeo Development Limited (now Gas du Cameroun), received the Head of State's blessing Friday November 15.

Inaugurating the plant in a heavily attended and colourful ceremony, President Paul Biya accompanied by Mrs Chantal Biya also brought together all who matter in the project to outline its socio-economic benefits. Successive speakers told the mammoth crowd that turned up for the event that the gas as a source of clean energy is essential for industries to be competitive and attract further investments. Besides the already thermal use of the gas, Gas du Cameroun is also bracing up to provide gas for independent electricity generation at customers' sites. This is expected to eliminate some of the power outages experienced mostly in the dry season and will make way for continuous industrial production. According to the Chairman of Victoria Oil & Gas, London Office, Kevin Foo, "Production now is about 3.5 million standard cubic feet per day, and by this time next year, we will expect production to be 12 to 15 million standard cubic feet per day." Target in the next three years, stakeholders disclosed, is to drill additional wells at Logbaba to supply new customers, develop the market for the production of electricity and increase gas sales approaching 50 million standard cubic feet per day.

The development of the Logbaba gas field created some 300 construction jobs and some 130 full time employment, is ensuring the growth of industrial development in Douala with reliable, cheaper and cleaner energy, is providing stabilised condensate to the National Oil Refinery Company (SONARA) in Limbe, is reducing cleaning and maintenance cost for industries and is also contributing substantially to State revenue through royalties and taxes. The over 100 million dollar (about FCFA 50 billion) project also has a social responsibility to sponsor breast and uterus diagnosis in cooperation with the Logbaba hospital, improve access paths along the pipeline route as well as offer drinking water boreholes for the local population using solar energy.

The Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Basile Atangana Kouna, like the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone, said the domestication of the Logbaba gas that was yesterday a threat and now an asset is a plus to bridging the energy demand/supply shortfall in the country.

Meanwhile, the Head of State noted that energy is at the heart of all development processes. "There is no modern development without energy reason why energy constitutes a pride of place position in our Greater Accomplishment programme. Together we will win the energy battle," he said. President Paul Biya equally assured the population that nothing will be left to chance to ensure their safety throughout the production of the gas.