By Akwang Umoetuk
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on the newly inaugurated leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to fast-track the completion of key national gas infrastructure projects in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ekpo made the call in Abuja while receiving the NNPC Ltd. delegation led by its Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, and the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, during a courtesy visit.
He emphasized the need for the NNPC Ltd. to prioritize the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline, and other strategic gas projects that are vital to improving gas access and utilization across the country.
The Minister urged the NNPC Ltd. to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry to push forward major gas pipeline initiatives such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline, and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project. According to Ekpo, these initiatives will not only boost domestic gas supply but also position Nigeria as a major exporter of gas across Africa and beyond.
Highlighting Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, estimated at 209 trillion cubic feet, Ekpo underscored the urgency of unlocking these resources to support national development.
“We have natural gas in abundance, but it is mostly used for export. We’re not taking full advantage of it for domestic economic benefits,” he said. “I urge NNPC Ltd. to help add value to our natural gas to drive economic growth and development.”
Ekpo also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to developing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), especially for transportation. He acknowledged ongoing efforts to make CNG more accessible by addressing the challenges of conversion kits.
On their part, NNPC Ltd. Chairman Kida said the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership and reaffirm the company’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry to deliver on national mandates in the oil and gas sector.
The GCEO, Ojulari, praised the Minister’s leadership, particularly his role in resolving the long-standing deadlock on the Brass Methanol Project’s Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA). He assured the Minister of NNPC Ltd.’s full support in implementing gas sector reforms and meeting the targets of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Other members of the NNPC Ltd. team included Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun; Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Femi Soneye; and Business Advisor to the GCEO, Mrs. Salewa Yusuf.
