Restates commitment to gas revolution
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has unveiled the establishment of five Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) mini plants within the Ajaokuta Steel territory in Kogi State, as part of its commitment to driving the country’s gas revolution.
The initiative, aimed at expanding Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation, is expected to boost energy access, support industrialisation, and create job opportunities in the region.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, during the unveiling in Kogi State, emphasised that the location was strategic for the plants, as the company’s pipeline network had already reached the area.
He noted that gas was available in their pipeline, allowing for a seamless connection to the major infrastructure currently under construction. He also emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had consistently highlighted that it was the era of gas revolution in Nigeria, given the country’s vast gas resources.
Kyari noted that gas had the potential to become a transformative vehicle for driving growth and prosperity across the nation. According to him, NNPCL is highly committed and challenged to deliver not only the project but also other critical gas infrastructure projects aimed at harnessing the nation’s gas resources for economic growth and energy security.
On the date of delivery, he said: “I’m confirming that enormous work is going on and we will deliver them. We don’t want to give you dates as usual, we will surprise you. But before then, we understand very clearly that gas delivery must be done in the quickest manner, particularly for locations where the backbone infrastructure doesn’t exist today and that is why we and our partners decided that it is appropriate and timely to start five mini LNG projects in one location,” he said.
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, noted that the Ajaokuta gas corridor was gradually emerging as a hub for numerous gas infrastructure projects, which include CNG compression and refuelling stations as well as several LNG plants.
He noted that with gas identified as a stopgap fuel for energy transition and Nigeria’s commitment to a just energy transition, the government and NMDPRA were prioritising gas utilisation projects.
Programme Director and Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, acknowledged the challenges of gas access in the Northeast and Northwest regions and expressed optimism that mini LNG plants, such as the ones being unveiled, would play a critical role in bridging the gap while awaiting the completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, expected to transform Nigeria’s gas transportation landscape.
Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, described the development of LNG infrastructure in Nigeria as a game changer for the country’s energy sector. He emphasised that it would not only enhance energy security but also position Nigeria as a key player in the global LNG market.
