Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Dr. Prella Clever Sigalla is Cameroonian-born medic cum industrial promoter and the brain behind Guff Steel Industries, Cameroon. This indigenous industrial complex is fine-tuning its imminent takeoff. In this exclusive interview with iCameroon.com, Dr. Sigalla talks about their readiness, the level of implantation, the upcoming convention to be signed with the government of Cameroon and the international partners they are working with.
Excerpts:
What is the latest development with Guff Steel Industries, Cameroon?
Dr. Sigalla(in dark glasses) at a working session with top management of Zenith Mining & Construction Company
Recently, we organised a recruitment interview. Some Cameroonians have been selected already, we are taking our time to fine-tune that and bring in some of the best minds into the company. Some 280 people have been shortlisted who will soon start work with Guff Steel Industries, Cameroon. The names of those individuals will be published soon and another 200 people will be on standby. The 280 individuals include; mechanical engineers, welding technicians, officers in charge of logistics and accountants. Nothing is lost;
Dr. Sigalla(in yellow t-shirt) on an inspection mission in Shanghai, China
we are on a good footing. Let us exercise some patience.
On the ground in Ombe, Southwest Region of Cameroon, what is happening with Guff Steel?
It is a huge project that I am piloting, with private partners. The stakeholders are working hard to ensure that the project stays afloat. The project has been evaluated for the third time, with the intention that we have modern technology
Dr. Sigalla and his Chinese interpreter in a business meeting
on the ground, while ensuring that it is cost effective for the running of the steel mill. My partners have been to Cameroon, we had a working session with AES Sonel so as to know the amount of electricity power we will need to run our plants. It was a successful meeting and with the draft work plan from AES Sonel, we are sure of the backup energy. We need enough energy to run our plants. Without adequate energy we cannot work on the huge investments on the ground.
A sample of the bullet-proof doors manufactured by Guff Steel Industries, Cameroon being displayed by Dr Sigalla
With the frequent power outages in Cameroon, how concrete is this agreement with AES Sonel to ensure a smooth takeoff of Guff Steel Industries?
Across the world, many companies have a problem of inadequate energy supply. We are confident AES Sonel will do the job and even make room for a backup that will carry forward our business. The government of Cameroon is propping the country’s energy sector, we are upbeat that things will work out for good. We will start from 5,000 – 10,000 megawatts of power supply and progressively move on.
How far have you gone with finalising your convention with the government of Cameroon?
The government of Cameroon has given us the authorisation to pursue our activities in Ombe. This is a huge project that must be accompanied with a convention between Guff Steel Industries and the government of Cameroon. We are recruiting many Cameroonians in the weeks ahead, this must be backed by a convention with the government of Cameroon, so that we will have a rebate in our custom duties at the ports in Cameroon. A lot of equipment, materials for us are already coming into the country. The convention will guarantee the release of funds from our partners, a guarantee to the workers that their jobs are secured, a leeway for our equipment to get into Cameroon and more. This is an initiative to add value to our economy and the lives of many Cameroonians.
As a country looking out for emergence, what will be the contribution from Guff Steel Industries?
I have a big dream with a lot of vision around it. I see many harvests in the pipeline. As Cameroonian, I am interested in the transfer of technology to our country. This will enable us to stand in the face of the stiff competition we have in today’s world. African countries like Angola, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea are already making inroads in the industrial sector and they are aware of the efforts of Guff Steel Industries. They have approached us and they are finding out what can of materials they can get from us. This is another medium to put our country on the spotlight and face international trade. Fortunately, we have a team that have insight knowledge of what the steel industries are all about. This is a motivating factor for me that we will stand the heat in the international market and also an opportunity to export steel from Cameroon. Now, we are importing a lot of steel from abroad. We can do same and that is the intention of Guff Steel Industries. We must add value to our environment; bring down the cost of materials so that the Cameroonian in the street can build a house for himself and the family. It is not only about fighting poverty, it is nation building.
What is the guarantee that this vision of yours has come to stay?
This is a project initiated into my spirit by God. It is amongst the biggest industrial projects we have in the country now. I have termed it; the fire-bullet project. We are working according to laid down strategies and progressively. It is gives us room for evaluation and money-consuming too. As individuals, putting our money together, we will not allow our money go down the drain. We will want to get our profits, even if it is 20 – 30 years after. We are working, meticulously, with experts in the steel industries, who know exactly where we are heading to. It is a lifetime endeavour to our nation.
Tell us more about your recent trips to China, India and Turkey.
We have a strong relationship with a company in Turkey that we are working with and producing steel and security doors, bullet-proof doors used in homes, banks and in offices. We are producing them already in Cameroon and selling across the country and beyond. China is a revolution to my assessment in industrial development, which we must learn from them for the betterment of our country. In China, I signed two major contracts in mining and metal construction respectively. The Guff Group is interested in the crushing sector, which will enable us supply our finished products to many countries in Africa. In that domain, I did sign a contract worth millions of dollars. When our convention with the government of Cameroon would have been signed, the materials from China will begin arriving in the country. It was a successful journey out in China. The Zenith Mining and Construction Company and Quingdao Metal Construction all in China are upbeat and set to work with us. The crushing department of Guff Steel will employ more than 500 persons with working materials, trucks available for them. This will be a big stimulant for the country’s economy. India is amongst the best in steel business across the world, so we have a consultant there, Mr. Suredj Autor, we are working with. He is German with Indian background. He has been at the conception of Guff Steel Industries, Cameroon and giving the much needed support. We are on track, there is no turning back.
Anything to add?
The world’s economy is under serious threat; we must not fold our arms. We have to build the economy of our country and continue to be hard working. Cameroon needs all of us. We must not allow people come and tell us what we need to do in our bedrooms and how to live with our wives. Leadership comes with a lot of trials. A lot of Cameroonians are getting into politics, when they are not politicians. Many will be frustrated and go astray. They should concentrate on what they can do. Not everybody is born to do politics. We have been born, primarily, to manage our economies. And when that is properly done, the nation is built. Let Cameroonians get into agricultural development, industrialisation, trade and related fields. I am interested in the economic evolution of Cameroon and what it takes to do that. The government must also resolve the problem of navigation on aircraft links. There is delay in businesses coming to our country because most flights destined to Cameroon must make a stopover in Europe. It has a negative impact on investors coming to Cameroon. Investors will prefer having direct flights to Cameroon. It is a booster to our economy. The seaport in Limbe, Southwest Region should be developed. We are happy the Kribi seaport is coming up, but with businesses coming up like ours, closer to Limbe, it will not make sense sending my goods via Kribi. With the Limbe seaport operational, our goods will be shipped from there, which is economically beneficial to us and our partners. This will decongest the Douala seaport, create new jobs in Limbe and the environs and boost customs revenue in the municipality. Those are basic facts our government need to know as we build up towards emergence.
Interviewed by Walter Wilson Nana
