The Federal Government has placed emphasis on the huge multiplier effect the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project would have on the nation’s economic growth and industrialisation.
This was made known during the visit of three cabinet Ministers to the AKK Gas Pipeline Project Site where they inspected the River Kaduna crossing milestone of the project in Kaduna, on Friday.
This is coming just as the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari assured Nigerians that the Project will be delivered by the end of first quarter 2025.
Among the three Ministers who visited the Project Site were: Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris Malagi and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project site, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, explained that the AKK Gas pipeline was tagged as the pipeline of prosperity and very dear to the President, as it is going to deliver critical infrastructure that would trigger the economic growth and industrialization of the nation.
“The AKK Gas Pipeline is such an important project to this administration, and its delivery fits squarely in Mr. President’s roadmap to unleash prosperity on the people,” he further went ahead to mention.
In his address at the occasion, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris Malagi, mentioned that the AKK Gas Pipeline Project underlines the fact that the “Decade of Gas” initiative by the Federal Government has taken off in earnest.
“Nigerians should be very proud about this AKK Gas Pipeline project. With the delivery of the project, the prosperity which Mr. President is always talking about is unravelling right here before our eyes,” he said.
Also speaking during the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the gas pipeline was part of the Federal Government’s many efforts at harnessing the nation’s abundant gas resources towards improving power generation and revamping ailing industries to create employment opportunities in the country.
Ekpo urged all stakeholders to support the NNPC Ltd towards delivering the project and several other gas projects as the country depends on it to bring prosperity to the people.
The three Ministers, who lauded the NNPC Ltd and its project partner, Brentex/CPP Ltd (BCL) on the progress made so far, also expressed optimism that the NNPC will deliver as promised.
Earlier in his remarks, the GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari assured the Project will be delivered by first quarter of 2025 as major segments of the job have been completed.
“Without promising too much, we assure you that this Project will be delivered on schedule. Our mission is to work towards delivering it by December this year. But we are confident this project will be delivered by 1st Quarter of 2025,” Kyari informed the three visiting Ministers.
The GCEO, who said the NNPC Ltd recognises the strategic importance and enormous value of the project to Nigeria’s economy, stressed that the Company was bankrolling the project on the back of its own balance sheet.
In his speech, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, said the completion of the AKK gas pipeline will herald the much-needed economic and industrial revival in the state.
“If you know about the Kakuri Industrial Area and how most of our factories there have become moribund, you will understand why we in Kaduna State are all excited about the AKK Gas Pipeline. Without doubt, the pipeline will revamp our industries and bring about a huge impact on our people. We can’t wait for it to be completed,” the Governor added.
The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline is a 40 inch by 614km linear pipeline system running from Akaojuta in Kogi State to Kano with associated intermediate, terminal gas facilities and other related equipment to transport natural gas to off-takers at Abuja, Kaduna and Kano.
