By Ngunyi Sonita Nwohtazie
LIMBE, Cameroon – Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the full reconstruction of the National Oil Refining Company (SONARA) in Limbe, pledging complete state support to restore the refinery to full operational capacity by 2027.
The assurance was given on October 9, 2025, during a high-profile inspection visit to the refinery, where the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the PARRAS24 reconstruction project, valued at approximately FCFA 30 billion and expected to be completed by December 2027.
“My visit today gives me great comfort. I have seen the level of work already done, and I am confident that the refinery will be fully reconstructed soon,” the Prime Minister stated, underscoring SONARA’s strategic importance to Cameroon’s economy.
He lamented the heavy financial toll of fuel imports since the 2019 fire incident that crippled the refinery, observing that the money spent could have built three or four new refineries. “If SONARA collapses, many banks will collapse with it,” he warned, highlighting the company’s pivotal role in the national and sub-regional energy landscape.
The PARRAS24 project, launched in August 2025, aims to relaunch SONARA’s core refining activities and ensure a steady supply of petroleum products to Cameroon and the Central African sub-region. The project combines technical rehabilitation, workforce training, and financial partnerships aimed at ensuring long-term viability. Upon completion, the refinery will have the capacity to process 2.1 million tons of crude oil annually.
SONARA’s General Manager, El Hadj Bako Harouna, expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support, noting that the Prime Minister’s visit has renewed workers’ motivation and confidence in the refinery’s recovery. “This visit strengthens our determination to deliver the project on schedule, so generally I am happy with the remarks made by the prime minister,” he said.
At the damaged unit, the Designated Facilities Manager, Léopold Ngotty Nsame, clarified that, contrary to public perception, only a small section of the refinery was affected by the fire, and major reconstruction work is already underway.
“As it is visible to you all, here is the portion of the refinery that was affected by the fire and at the other end is the newly constructed side showing the portion of the affected old refinery,” he indicated.
The visit was attended by the Governor of the South West Region, administrative authorities of Fako Division, traditional rulers, and senior SONARA officials. It formed part of the Prime Minister’s broader working visit to the South West, which also included the launch of salary arrear payments for CDC workers, the inauguration of development projects, and a political rally in Limbe and Kumba.
Before departing, the Prime Minister called on SONARA workers to show appreciation for the government’s steadfast support by remaining committed to the refinery’s revival and turning out massively to support President Paul Biya in the upcoming October 12 polls.
With reconstruction works in full swing, SONARA is projected to resume production by the end of 2027, marking a major breakthrough in Cameroon’s drive towards energy self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
