NNPC assures Nigerians AKK gas pipeline project slated for delivery on schedule, prosperity

*Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Corporation, says the AKK Gas Project will help revamp about 232 industries, create massive employment opportunities and prosperity for the generality of Nigerians

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In regard to the inherent potential of the project in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that the ongoing 614 kilometres Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project would be delivered on schedule, create prosperity through massive job opportunities and guarantee peace for the country.

Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Corporation, stated this Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Gas Sector Stakeholders’ Forum held in Kano, Kano State.

The forum had the theme, “Optimising the Economic Development Capacity of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project”.

Ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano AKK Gas Pipeline Project   Photo: Independent

Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, in a statement issued Thursday, July 29 in Abuja, FCT, said the GMD in a paper titled: “The AKK as an Economic Development Game-Changer ─ NNPC’s Vision, Contributions, & Plan Forward”, said that the AKK gas project would help revamp about 232 industries creating massive employment opportunities and prosperity for the people.

The NNPC Chief also noted that the project would serve as gas supply link to other African countries and Europe when completed.

“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 two billion 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,” Malam Kyari stated.

According to him, the AKK gas project would also lead to the development of three Independent Power Plants (IPP), in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano.

That the IPPs would boost electricity supply and promote the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in the Nigeria.

He further stressed: “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.”

Malam Kyari said the AKK gas project would also boost the Agricultural, Industrial, Manufacturing and Power Sectors for the overall growth of the nation’s economy.

The AKK gas pipeline project is in sync with the aspiration of the Federal Government to reduce the country’s carbon footprint in line with the global quest to arrest global warming and climate change and in furtherance of the Decade of Gas programme, he said.

According to him, gas is a key driver of prosperity all over the world and it cannot be different in Nigeria, stressing that the extensive industrial layout in the Otta area of Ogun and Lagos States is anchored on the gas supply by the NNPC and its partners which is creating jobs and other opportunities for people.

In his keynote address on the occasion, H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said the Gas Sector Stakeholders’ Forum would ensure collaboration among stakeholders geared towards kick-starting the required activities that would guarantee full usage of the gas to be delivered through the AKK pipeline when completed.

Chief Sylva stated: “Today’s event reinforces our commitment to realising the inherent potential 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.”

The statement added the major stakeholders in the country’s oil and gas value chain were in attendance, as well as Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, while the Governors of Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna, Honourable Minister for Finance and Alhaji Aliko Dangote also joined virtually.

The Governor of Kogi State sent a representative.

Kindly Share This Story