The Federal Government says the construction of the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, gas pipeline project is on course for completion by 2023.
The Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Yusuf Usman, disclosed this in a panel session at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG, Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday.
At the conference titled ‘Fortifying the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry for Economic Stability and Growth’ the COO revealed that the government was investing massively in gas infrastructure in line with its declaration of the Year 2021 to Year 2030 as the “Decade of Gas Development.”
He said: “For us to achieve this initiative, we need to have critical infrastructure that will take gas across the country to boost industrial activities.
“We have completed the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System Phase-2, the Obiafu-Obrikon-Oben (OB3) pipeline project has been partially completed.
“The AKK gas pipeline project is also on course for completion within the next two years,” he said.
Mr Usman also revealed that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) passed recently by the National Assembly has provision for the funding of pipeline infrastructure because it was the most efficient and economical way of moving the product.
He explained that the pipeline was a key enabler for creating market for gas and bringing it closer to Nigerians across the country.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Administration, Deep Water, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Also, Maryam Shehu, pledged that the company would continue to support the development of gas in the country.
Mrs Shehu lauded the government for its gas infrastructure strides, especially the critical gas pipeline projects.
She, however, advised the government to focus on road rehabilitation and railway network for smooth movement of Liquefied Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas across the country.
The general manager also urged the government to find a lasting solution to insecurity to reduce cost of operation in the sector.
NAN
