Kogi - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jan, Thu, 2025

NNPC Ltd, Partners launch 5 mini LNG plants in Kogi

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By Emmanuella Anokam
The Federal Government on Thursday began the construction of five Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plants are to facilitate rapid access to gas to deepen its utilisation among Nigerians.

The plants are being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) in partnership with PRIME LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG and LNG Arete.

The project will be constructed on 33,000 hectares of land, with combined capacity of 97.5 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, and a 500 million dollars investment.

The project is a multifaceted virtual pipeline development, in line with the ‘Decade of Gas’ agenda.

They will produce Condensate, Liquified Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and to increasing gas availability.

At the ground breaking of the plants, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) said the project was to deepen the utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources.

Ekpo said he was confident in the NNPC Ltd.’s promise to deliver the project on schedule.

He commended the state government for its pledge to provide adequate security to facilitate its execution.

He described the natural gas as a veritable vehicle for accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic prosperity, and working to achieve the Nation’s commitments to a just and equitable energy transition.

“I commend the outstanding efforts of the NNPC Ltd. and its partners, who worked round the clock to achieve this milestone, as we look forward to a smooth and safe project delivery of all five plants.

“The Ministry stands with the NNPC Ltd. and partners, to support initiatives that align with the goals of harnessing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for economic development and reduction of carbon footprint,” he said.

In his address, Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., said the project has strategic location and proximity to the Northern market.

He said it would deliver a cost-effective, long-term and reliable natural gas solution to industrial and commercial customers.

Kyari said the NNPC Ltd. was committed to delivering the project, which would utilise domestic gas reserves and reduce reliance on polluting fuels.

In his remarks, Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi said the project was a collective commitment towards embracing cleaner energy in the country for economic prosperity.

Ododo said the project aligned with the global effort to combat climate change, carbon emissions and achieve energy security.

“Economic benefits of this project cannot be overemphasised as it is setting the state for brighter and more prosperous future, leveraging cleaner energy future.

“We will ensure that both the investments and the investors are safe,” he said.

The governor, while stating that Kogi is blessed with abundant mineral resources and open for investments, expressed the readiness of the host communities to safeguard the massive investment.

Also speaking, Sen. Natasha Uduaghan, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for passing the executive order for establishing the plant.

“Gas is the future. It is a new paradigm shift for the country because the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project will be completed in the second quarter of 2025,” she said.

Uduaghan said that the project would spur economic activities and revenue generation.

She also expressed optimism that the Ajaokuta steel company would resume production soon for enhanced economic growth.

The gas liquefaction project will create opportunities for gas commercialisation and supports the Federal Government’s flare down initiative.

It will also provide a flexible solution to increase gas penetration in remote locations where pipeline infrastructure does not exist.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Tue, 2025

General News

Ododo lauds Tinubu’s commitment to rural electrification

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By Naomi Sharang

Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving energy access as an economic catalyst for growth and development of the nation.

Ododo gave the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday, during a roundtable on “Rural Electrification and Strategy Implementation” organised by Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with the Kogi State Government.

He said that the president has shown a clear path to unlocking the economic greatness of the country’s human assets that were vulnerable and being endangered.

“I commend the efforts of our father, our leader, President Bola Tinubu, for his undoubted commitment to improve access to energy as an economic catalyst and enhancement of social life.”

Ododo said that the roundtable was a collective commitment to bridging the energy asset gap and unlocking the vast economic potential of rural communities.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Rural Electrification Agency and all stakeholders for their steadfast dedication to this vital course.

“Kogi is in a position to play a vital role in this very issue. Our central position and significant socio-economic potential make us not just a vision, but a strategic partner in the push for universal energy access.

“We are ready to provide flexible infrastructural support, expedite administrative processes and ensure community buy-in for every project that you may be interested in our state,” Ododo said.

According to him, Electrifying rural communities is not just about providing light; it is about igniting hope, fostering innovation and empowering our people to build a self-reliant future.

The governor appealed to REA and other partners to prioritise Kogi in their electrification programmes, stressing the importance of universal energy access in fostering innovation, creating jobs and driving economic growth.

“Together, we can achieve universal energy access and create a brighter, more prosperous Kogi,” he said.

The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, announced that SOSAI Renewable Energy Service Company had secured a $300,000 grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to electrify 17 health centers in Kogi.

According to Aliyu, the project has the potential to expand to an additional 40 primary health centres.

He urged the Kogi State Government to provide the necessary counterpart funding to ensure the successful execution of the initiative.

Aliyu said “Habiba Ali, the founder and CEO of SOSAI Renewable Energy Service Company, will oversee the implementation of the grant”.

On his part, Kogi State Commissioner for Energy, Mohammed Abdulmutalib, called on stakeholders to seize the opportunity to power the state’s future with reliable and sustainable energy solutions.

He emphasised the transformative impact of green energy initiatives, including mini-grids on the state’s largely agrarian communities.

“This is a chance to transform the lives of our people, vitalise the economy and set a benchmark for impactful development across the state and the country in general,” Abdulmutalib said.(NAN)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

Environment

FG to harness Kogi’s natural resources for sustainable dev’t

734 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government has pledged to partner with the Kogi government to harness its natural resources for sustainable economic development.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated this on Thursday in Abuja when Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, paid him a courtesy visit.

He restated the federal government’s commitment to mobilise investments to stimulate mineral exploration activities in the state in view of crude oil deposits for overall strategic national interest.

According to Lokpobri, the Petroleum Industry Act mandates the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to explore frontier basins in the country.

“We are doing a bid round currently, and as a policy, states are encouraged to participate in the upstream, all you need to do is to do the requisite exploration work towards getting oil in the substantial quantity.

“As a confluence state, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will partner with the state government to provide necessary support to extract its resources to the markets,” he said.

Lokpobiri, who commended the governor for his good governance to the people and foresight, expressed optimism that crude production would hit 2.5 million barrels soon through concerted efforts.

Earlier, Udodo solicited the support of the ministry to harness its untapped natural resources, and to advance oil exploration.

“Kogi state is so blessed with many natural resources and in abundant quantity, hence we have been boasting about it.

“We need your support and guidance to unlock our potential to ensure that the natural gift bestowed upon us by the Almighty God starts working for us,” he said.

Also speaking, Asiwaju Idris, the Kogi Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, said the governor was consolidating on the development plan developed by his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

He said it was paramount to fast track the blueprint, adding that the governor took it upon himself to gear a lot of investment towards securing the citizens, resources and investors.

Idris advocated establishment of a gas industrial park in view of the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, which passed through the state.

This, he said, would encourage more industries and investors in the state to take advantage of the gas expansion plan.

“In Kogi state, we have more upcoming companies in the area of solid minerals, we have Dangote company expanding, and many other companies across the state because we are blessed with solid minerals.

“We know that the NUPRC has a lot to do to develop the frontier basin. We need to tap other minerals God blessed the state with under the Anambra frontier basin”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was accompanied in the visit by his Chief of Staff, Ali Bello and other top government functionaries. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani Ali