Victor Uzoho
The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, has assured that the ongoing 614kilometres Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project would be delivered on schedule, create prosperity through massive job opportunities and guarantee peace for the country.
A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted Kyari as saying this yesterday, at Gas Sector Stakeholders’ Forum, in Kano, themed: “Optimizing the Economic Development Capacity of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project.”
“The AKK as an Economic Development Game-Changer – NNPC’s Vision, Contributions, & Plan Forward,” he said, adding that upon completion, the AKK gas project would help revamp about 232 industries, thereby creating massive employment opportunities and prosperity for Nigerians, while also serving as gas supply link to other African countries and Europe.
“This project has been on the drawing board for 30 years and the dream was to have gas delivered to Europe across the Trans-Sahara route. What we are seeing today would deliver at least 2billion standard cubic feet of gas to the domestic market at the first instance with the potential to increase it. What this means is that it will debottleneck the gas supply network in the entire country,” Kyari informed.
He said the AKK gas project would also lead to the construction of three Independent Power Plants (IPPs) in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, to boost electricity supply and promote the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
“I want to state clearly that this gathering would not have been possible if we don’t have a line of sight to the completion of the AKK gas pipeline project. This is possible because of the clear direction that Mr. President has shown on the need to deepen domestic gas consumption with a view to creating prosperity out of the enormous gas resources we have as a nation. He has given us all the necessary support and incentives to deliver on this project,” he stated.
Furthermore, the NNPC boss observed that the gas project would also lift the Agricultural, Industrial, Manufacturing and Power sectors for overall economic growth.
Cleaner energy
Under the United Nations (UN), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No.7, by 2030, stakeholders are expected to enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology. This also includes renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promoting investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
To this end, Kyari argued that the AKK pipeline project is in sync with the Federal Government’s aspiration to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint amid global quest to check global warming and climate change, in furtherance to the Decade of Gas programme.
According to him, gas is a key driver of prosperity globally, and cannot be different in Nigeria, stressing that the extensive industrial layout in the Otta, Ogun and Lagos states is anchored on gas supply by the NNPC and its partners, which is creating jobs and other opportunities for the people.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the Forum will ensure collaboration amongst stakeholders towards kick-starting the required activities that would guarantee full usage of the gas to be delivered through the AKK pipeline when completed.
“Today’s event reinforces our commitment to realizing the inherent potentials of gas usage as a national catalyst for achieving economic diversification from crude oil and as a transition fuel from fossil of today to the renewable energy of tomorrow,” Sylva said.
The event also had in attendance major stakeholders in the oil and gas value chain and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, while the Governors of Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna, the Minister of Finance, and business mogul, Aliko Dangote joined virtually. The Governor of Kogi State sent a representative.
