The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, 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.
A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr Kennie Obateru, disclosed that the GMD stated this development recently at the Gas Sector Stakeholders’ Forum held in Kano State.
Themed, “Optimizing the Economic Development Capacity of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project” in a paper titled, “The AKK as an Economic Development Game-Changer – NNPC’s Vision, Contributions, & Plan Forward”.
The GMD, Mallam Kyari, during the forum stated that the AKK gas project would help revamp about 232 industries, create massive employment opportunities and prosperity for the people.
He also said that it would serve as a gas supply link to other African countries and Europe, upon completion.
In his words during the paper presentation, “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.
More so, what this means is that it will de-bottle-neck the gas supply network in the entire country,” Mallam Kyari informed.
Furthermore, the AKK gas project would also lead to the development of three Independent Power Plants (IPP) in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, adding that the IPPs would boost electricity supply and promote the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria.
Still, at the paper presentation, Mallam Kyari mentioned that the gathering would not have been possible if they didn’t have a line of sight to the completion of the AKK gas pipeline project.
According to him, it was made possible because of the clear direction the President has shown on the need to deepen domestic gas consumption to create prosperity out of the enormous gas resources we have as a nation.
Kyari further mentioned that the President has given all the necessary support and incentives to deliver the project.
Also noted was that the AKK gas project would also boost the Agricultural, Industrial, Manufacturing and Power sectors for the overall growth of the nation’s economy.
The GMD also averred that the AKK gas pipeline project was in sync with the aspiration of the Federal Government to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint in line with the global quest to arrest global warming and climate change in furtherance of the Decade of Gas Programme.
Gas is a key driver of prosperity all over the world and it cannot be different in Nigeria.
Worthy of note, it was mentioned 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, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said the Gas Sector Stakeholders Forum would ensure collaboration amongst 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.
In his speech, he said that the event would reinforce the 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 its fossil state today to the renewable energy of tomorrow.
The event had in attendance major stakeholders in the oil and gas value chain and His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State while the Governor of Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna, the Honorable Minister of Finance and Alhaji Aliko Dangote joined virtually.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Kogi State sent a representative.
