By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
More jobs will be created from the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline spanning 614 kilometres and the project will be delivered on schedule, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has pledged.
The pipeline is planned to link the Trans Sahara route and sell Nigeria’s gas to European markets. It is intended to create prosperity and also guarantee peace in the country, says NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.
“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 2 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,” Kyari said.
He spoke at a Gas Sector Stakeholders’ Forum in Kano with theme, “Optimising the Economic Development Capacity of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project”, where he delivered a paper on “The AKK as an Economic Development Game-Changer – NNPC’s Vision, Contributions, & Plan Forward.”
Involvement of IPPs
According to Kyari, the pipeline will serve as a gas supply link to other African countries and Europe upon completion and also lead to the development of three Independent Power Plants (IPP) in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.
The IPPs aim to boost electricity supply and promote the growth of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
“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,” Kyari added.
“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.”
The AKK project is planned to boost the Agricultural, Industrial, Manufacturing and Power sectors for the growth of the economy.
Kyari said it is also in sync with the aspiration of the government to reduce carbon footprint in line with the global quest to arrest global warming and climate change and 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, he stressed, adding that the extensive industrial layout in the Otta area of Ogun and Lagos States is anchored on gas supply by the NNPC and its partners, which creates jobs and other opportunities for people.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the gas forum would ensure collaboration among stakeholders to kick start activities that would guarantee full usage of gas to delivered through the AKK pipeline when completed.
“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,” he enthused.