Tinubu commissions OB3, ANOH, AHL gas projects
…Reiterates commitment to utilise Gas for economic growth, prosperity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday virtually commissioned three gas projects in Imo and Delta state.
The projects were 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.
Speaking, President Tinubu reiterated the commitment of his administration to utilize Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.
“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 percent 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 utilisation, increase national power generation capacity, revitalise 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 incentivising 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 industrialisation.
“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 realisation 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.
He said: “Mr. President, the decision to eliminate fuel subsidies at the start of your administration has compelled increased spending in upstream and midstream gas development, and the use of gas as an appropriate, more cost-effective, and cleaner alternative to diesel and gasoline. Furthermore, in keeping with the Paris Climate Change agreement, this measure solidifies the use of gas as our transition fuel as we move the Nation towards achieving green energy sufficiency by 2060.”
The Minister appreciated President Tinubu, saying his “inspiring leadership has been the driving force behind our progress towards a future full of opportunity and promise.”
He described the AHL Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP – 2) and ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC) Plant, which were commissioned, as important facets of the Decade of Gas initiative, and a reflection of the NNPC Ltd. and its Joint Venture partners’ efforts.
“In addition to producing over 160,000 metric tonnes of propane and 100,000 metric tonnes of butane annually, this plant promotes rapid industrialisation and reduces reliance on LPG import,” he said.
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 utilisation of natural gas for power generation, as feedstock for gas-based industries and overall rapid industrialisation of Nigeria on the back of the enormous gas resources in the country.
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.
