The Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, addressed a letter to enterprises distributing petroleum products in Cameroon on March 21, 2023, with the subject line “Authorization to sell fuel in cans and other containers to households.” Thus, the government official instructed marketers to sell fuel in cans no larger than 100 liters.
The Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, addressed a letter to enterprises distributing petroleum products in Cameroon on March 21, 2023, with the subject line “Authorization to sell fuel in cans and other containers to households.” Thus, the government official instructed marketers to sell fuel in cans no larger than 100 liters.
However, it is acknowledged that it is totally against the law for gas stations to sell petroleum products to businesses or for export to nearby nations in drums and cubitainers.
Thus, Gaston Eloundou Essomba is lifting the ban on the sale of fuel in barrels after almost a year. In fact, the Minister of Water and Energy stated that he had noticed that petroleum products meant for local consumption are marketed in cans and other non-regulatory containers outside of Cameroon in a circular sent to regional governors on April 21, 2022.
The government official issued the following directive: “The sale of petroleum products in cans or any other container for destinations outside the national territory is strictly prohibited; companies approved for the export of petroleum products are required to present the exclusive authorisation of the Minister of Water and Energy during administrative controls.”
Many disagree with this choice and believe it to be unlawful and dangerous for Cameroonians. Francis Eyalla, president of the National Consumers Network, vehemently disagrees with this choice and urges the Minister to reconsider for the sake of the country’s population.
This decision not only encourages the smuggling of petroleum goods, which is spreading throughout the national territory in plain sight of everyone without any response from the relevant authorities, but also legitimizes a significant danger of arson and other murders involving petroleum products.
Francis Eyalla goes on to suggest that this choice poses a security danger. “No, Mr. Minister…your choice puts Cameroon in grave danger. We should remind the Minister of Water and Energy, Mr. Gaston ELOUNDOU ESSOMBA, that this way of looking at products will have significantly contributed to the burning of government buildings as well as other structures and homes during the 2008 riots known as “HUNGER RUMBLING,” and we NEVER want that to happen again.
Through numerous social media platforms, he requests that the appropriate authorities revoke this “SUICIDAL” and “CRIMINAL” authorization of the Minister of Water and Energy as a matter of urgency.
