The Anambra State Government is considering the establishment of a modular refinery as part of plans to expand gas processing and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production in the state.
Charles Ofoegbu, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, disclosed this in Awka while receiving members of the Anambra State chapter of the National Association of LPG Marketers (NALPGAM).
Ofoegbu said the proposed modular refinery would eventually lead to the establishment of an LPG processing plant as the state moves to develop its petroleum and gas sector.
He said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo was committed to sanitising the petroleum sector and creating an enabling environment for investment in gas processing.
According to him, the state is open to investors interested in establishing gas processing plants and is prepared to support prospective investors with access to gas supply for their facilities.
The commissioner urged residents of Anambra and other interested investors to take advantage of the opportunities emerging in the state’s gas sector.
He said, “The proposed modular refinery will eventually lead to the establishment of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas processing plant.”
Ofoegbu also welcomed the proposal by LPG marketers in the state to organise a workshop on LPG safety and operations, saying such engagements would help address challenges confronting operators and improve safety in the sector.
Earlier, Daniel Madueke, chairman of NALPGAM in Anambra, said the association visited the commissioner to seek approval for the workshop.
Madueke said the programme would educate operators and members of the public on LPG, including its composition, pressure levels and measures to prevent domestic gas-related accidents.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to push for greater domestic gas utilisation and wider access to LPG as a cooking fuel.
However, the state government has not disclosed the proposed refinery’s capacity, investment value, location or completion timeline.