By Aisha Gambo

Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,, says the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project has reached 90 per cent completion stage.

The minister said this in Kaduna during an inter-ministerial visit to the gas pipeline project at River Kaduna HDD crossing site.

He said the 614-kilometre project has reached a commendable stage in spite of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and the prevailing security challenges in some of the host communities .

“We have witnessed the tremendous natural gas pipeline project and we have seen the skill and capacity of both the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Chinese Nigeria partnership.

“I’m sure and I’m convinced that this project in line with the presidential mandate will be completed on time by the first quarter of next year.

“It should give all Nigerians confidence in our own ability to do our own project, bring partners in to help and grow the economy,” he said.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the AKK project as critical for Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said the ministry would ensure timely completion of the project as directed by President Bola Tinubu, to create job opportunities, revive industries, improve power generation and boost revenue base of the country.

According to Ekpo, the ministry in collaboration with the NNPC is working to expand the project to other parts of the nation so that  every state could have gas and energy security., adding that Nigeria would  be the gas hub in  the sub region.

Earlier,the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammad Idris, said that President Tinubu, as part of his mandate, is committed to complete projects that have positive impacts on the people.

He said that the project would be delivered in good time and Nigerians would see the benefits shortly.

Gov. Uba Sani, who was represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe said the gas project would address energy crises in the state and improve living standard of the people.

Meanwhile, Mr Howard Wang, Chairma of the Brentex CPP Ltd,  the contracting firm, said that they engaged 1,925 skilled and sSemi-skilled Nigerian workers for the project.

The company, he said, worked in harmony with 240 communities living along the project corridor, adding that, “BCL has enjoyed tremendous support from the Federal Government of Nigeria through the able leadership of NNPC Ltd, without this support we may have had no magic to perform.