In line with its renewed hope agenda, President Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s determination to utilize Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosed this while commissioning three critical gas infrastructure projects executed by NNPC Limited and its partners in Ohaji-Egbema, in Imo State and Kwale, in Delta States, on Wednesday. 

The three projects commissioned include the expansion of the AHL Gas Processing Plant, the ANOH Gas Processing Plant and the 23.3km ANOH to Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Custody Transfer Metering Station Gas Pipeline Projects. 

“It is pleasing that approximately, 500MMscf of gas in aggregate would be supplied to the domestic market from these two Gas Processing Plants, which represents over 25% incremental growth in gas supply. In practical terms, this translates into more gas to the Power Sector, Gas-Based Industries, and other critical segments of the economy,” the President added. 

The President said from the onset, his administration was clear of its intention to leverage on the virtually unlimited capacity of gas to deepen domestic gas utilization, increase national power generation capacity, revitalize industries, and create multiple job opportunities for economic growth.

He said aside the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative which is aimed at moving Nigerians away from petrol and diesel as vehicular combustion fuel, significant progress has also been recorded in incentivizing gas development through Presidential Executive Orders.

While congratulating the projects partners (NNPC Limited, Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and Seplat Energy for the successful implementation of the three projects, Tinubu particularly charged the NNPC Limited to, as the national energy company of choice, sustain its relentless efforts and record more successes in the energy sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.  

He described the commissioning as a highly significant milestone for Nigeria as it demonstrates his administration’s efforts to accelerate the development of critical gas infrastructure geared at enhancing the supply of energy to boost industrial growth and create employment opportunities.

He said the projects were fully in line with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, and his administration’s quest to grow value from the Nation’s abundant gas assets while concurrently eliminating gas flaring and accelerating industrialization.

“I wish to assure the citizenry that these are just the beginning, as the federal government is stepping up its coordination of other landmark projects and initiatives that will ensure the earliest realization of gas fueled prosperity in our country. Consequently, I wish to assure investors in the energy space that this is an investment enabling government and we will not relent in facilitating the ease of doing business,” the President noted. 

Earlier in his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo highlighted the efforts of his ministry to continue to champion the utilisation of gas as a transition fuel as Nigeria moves towards achieving clean energy efficiency and security by 2060.

Ekpo commended the President for his leadership and support towards the success of the three projects.

In his remarks, the GCEO NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari described the commissioning as a demonstration of Mr. President’s commitment and support to grow the domestic utilization of natural gas for power generation, as feedstock for gas-based industries and overall rapid industrialization of Nigeria on the back of the enormous gas resources in the country.

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Kyari assured that as part of its mandate, NNPC Ltd remains committed to maintaining energy security by executing more strategic gas projects for the benefit of Nigeria.

Tinubu also commended Seplat Energy and its partners for their dedication to advancing Nigeria’s energy agenda.

He described the inauguration as a great mark of achievement, demonstrating teamwork, commitment and dedication to duty.

He congratulated all the players in the nation’s oil and gas sector on their effort in fulfilling his administration’s dream in 11 months of his assumption of office.

“This event is highly significant and demonstrates the administration’s determination to accelerate the development of critical gas infrastructure geared at demonstrably enhancing the supply of energy to boost industrial growth and create employment opportunities and future prosperity for the nation.

“The project also fully aligns with the decade of gas initiative and our quest to create value from the nation’s abundant gas asset while eliminating gas flaring and celebrating industrialisation.

“I wish to assure the Nigerian people that indeed this project represents only the beginning as the Federal Government is stepping up its coordination of other landmark projects and initiatives that will ensure the earliest possible realisation of gas fuel for prosperity in abundance,” he said.

The Board Chairman of Seplat Energy, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, spoke on the strategic importance of the ANOH project.

According to him, the ANOH gas project strongly aligns with Seplat Energy’s mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity.

“As a testament of our pledge to Nigeria, in partnership with the NNPC Ltd, we have delivered this project that will support the current administration’s drive for industrialisation and growth of the economy through low-cost reliable power.

“To put this into context, if all of the gas from this plant went into the power sector, it would produce enough electricity to transform the lives of over five million people.

“Given that Nigeria’s population is growing at a rate of over five million per annum, we need one of these plants a year, every year, just to meet the demand of our new arrivals.

“We all have work to do. We appreciate the unwavering support of our partner, NNPCL, the cordial relationship with our host communities, Imo Government and the support of all the stakeholders that are too many to mention,“ he said.

Also, Mr Roger Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said they were pleased with the progressive reforms of the Federal Government, citing the Executive Orders signed by the president on March 24 to enhance investments in greenfield gas development and midstream capital projects.

“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority recently improved gas prices under the DSO to trigger off further investments to the domestic gas sector – our ANOH gas plant will benefit from these reforms and incentives.

“No doubt, the ANOH’s gas will further reduce Nigeria’s carbon intensity and increase energy supplied to the Nigerian domestic market,” he said.

Also, the Group CEO of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, said that the collaborative effort between Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company in bringing the ANOH Plant to fruition were remarkable.

“The ANOH Gas Processing Plant, being commissioned by NNPCL and our partner is in line with Nigeria’s decade of gas agenda and particularly consistent with the administration’s efforts to boost gas supply in the domestic market,” he said.

The Imo Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, represented by Deputy Gov. Chinyere Ekomaru, congratulated Seplat Energy on the completion of the project and expressed delight at the opportunities that lie ahead of the state on account of the successful completion of the ANOH plant.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, said that “with a capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet per day, the ANOH Gas Processing Plant is a shining example of advancement.

“This plant will greatly advance the availability of domestic gas which will boost power generation and hasten industrialisation,“ Ekpo said.

BRANDPOWER further reports that with a phase one processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet per day, the plant is expected to deliver dry gas, condensate and Liquified
Petroleum Gas to domestic and international markets.