Following a tragic industrial accident at METAFRIQUE STEEL, the Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, chaired a high-level consultation meeting on November 4, 2026, in Douala.
Held in the conference room of the Littoral Governor’s Office, the session focused on strengthening industrial safety standards and accelerating the modernization of Cameroon’s metallurgical sector.
The meeting brought together key administrative and security authorities, including the Governor of the Littoral Region, the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, the Attorney General, representatives of the Douala City Mayor, and heads of defense forces, alongside top steel manufacturing companies including FOKOU, ACERO, METAFRIQUE STEEL, and PROMETAL.
The urgency of the meeting stemmed from the severe accident on November 2, which resulted in five fatalities and left twelve workers seriously injured. Addressing the assembly, Professor Gentry offered condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirmed the government’s immediate enforcement measures.
METAFRIQUE STEEL has been temporarily shut down pending the full execution of recommendations derived from ongoing investigations. A comprehensive administrative and technical inquiry, spearheaded by the National Inspection Committee, has been launched to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy and identify any legal or regulatory liabilities.
Throughout the deliberations, the Minister emphasized the paramount importance of comprehensive victim care, worker protection, and strict adherence to occupational safety codes.
He warned that exemplary sanctions would be levied against any operators found in breach of mandatory industrial safety regulations. Discussions were further enriched by an expert presentation from Dr. Pierre Moueleu, who outlined actionable strategies for occupational risk prevention, regulatory compliance, and the comprehensive physical securing of industrial manufacturing plants.
Beyond emergency response and oversight, the government used the platform to advocate for structural modernization within the national steel industry. Professor Gentry urged metallurgical operators to upgrade their production processes by shifting toward enriched iron ore containing 60–64% iron content for the manufacturing of steel billets from iron concentrate.
He assured industry players that the State is prepared to accompany operators through this technological transition to boost local value addition, enhance factory efficiency, and eliminate operational hazards associated with outdated processing methods.
This multi-stakeholder consultation underscores the Cameroonian Government’s resolve to foster a safer, modern, and competitive metallurgical industry. By pairing strict regulatory accountability with long-term technological support, authorities aim to prevent future industrial disasters while signaling that the protection of human lives remains the absolute priority in the nation’s industrial development agenda.
