By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has charged the new leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to prioritize the completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) projects and other critical National Gas Projects.
Mr. Ekpo made this call during a courtesy visit by NNPC Ltd.’s new leadership, led by its Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, to his office in Abuja according to a statement by his Spokesperson, Louis Ibah.
He noted that these projects are crucial for enhancing gas penetration in the country and working to achieve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister also stressed the importance of the new NNPC Ltd. team collaborating with the Ministry to actualize several key projects, including the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP), the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project.
Mr. Ekpo highlighted Nigeria’s vast untapped natural gas resources, estimated at 209 trillion cubic feet, and urged NNPC Ltd. to incentivize the gas sector to unlock its potential for both exports and domestic use, driving economic prosperity.
“We have natural gas in abundance, but mainly for export, and we’re not taking full advantage of it for domestic use,” Ekpo said. “So, I urge you to assist the government in adding value to the natural gas we have to grow our economy and accelerate our development.”
He also emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, citing the withdrawal of fuel subsidies to pave the way for greater investments in the gas sector.
We have natural gas in abundance, but mainly for export, and we’re not taking full advantage of it for domestic use. So, I urge you to assist the government in adding value to the natural gas we have to grow our economy and accelerate our development.
The Gas Minister noted the government’s efforts to promote Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for vehicles, and aim to reduce reliance on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol.
“President Tinubu attaches great importance to CNG as a fuel for vehicles, to move away from reliance on PMS,” Ekpo stated, adding that the government is working to overcome challenges related to CNG conversion kits, making it more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
NNPC Ltd. Chairman, Mr. Kida, said the team visited the Minister to introduce themselves and assure cooperation with the Minister to actualize the mandate of the Company and the Federal Government for the oil and gas sector.
The GCEO, Mr. Ojulari, commended the Gas Minister for his efforts at collaborating with stakeholders to resolve issues bedeviling the industry, exemplified by the resolution of the decade long deadlock on the Brass Methanol Project Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA).
He also pledged his firm commitment to work with the Minister to achieve President Tinubu’s objectives for the gas industry.
Other members of the team included NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCO), Femi Soneye, and Business Advisor to the GCEO, Mrs. Salewa Yusuf.
